1  '  —  —  - 

UNIVERSITY 
AT  LOS 

OF  CALIFORNIA 
ANGELES 

HENRY  ROSENBERG 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

1824-1893 


TO   COMMEMORATE 
THE   GIFTS   OF   HENRY   ROSENBERG 

TO   GALVESTON 
THIS   VOLUME   IS   ISSUED   BY  THE 

ROSENBERG   LIBRARY 


GALVESTON,  TEXAS 

MCMXVIII 


Copyright,  1918,  by 
THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  OF  THE  ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 


FOREWORD 

HENRY  ROSENBERG  came  to  Galveston,  a  Swiss  boy 
of  nineteen,  with  no  money  but  with  native  ability. 
After  fifty  years  of  life  in  our  city  as  a  prosperous 
merchant  and  banker,  an  unpretentious  and  generous 
man,  and  a  useful  and  public-spirited  citizen,  Mr. 
Rosenberg  passed  away  in  his  sixty-ninth  year  in 
1893,  leaving  by  his  will  a  very  large  part  of  his 
wealth  for  wisely  chosen  public  purposes  in  Gal- 
veston,  the  principal  amount  being  the  residuum  for 
a  free  public  library.  The  people  of  Galveston  honor 
the  memory  of  Mr.  Rosenberg;  they  are  proud  of 
him  as  a  good  citizen,  and  are  grateful  of  heart  for 
his  gifts  and  bequests.  This  has  been  shown  by  pub- 
lic honors  and  tributes  in  the  days  following  his  de- 
cease, by  the  annual  celebration  of  Rosenberg  Day 
for  many  years,  by  the  fine  heroic  bronze  statue  ac- 
quired by  popular  subscription  and  placed  in  front 
of  the  Rosenberg  Library  in  1906,  and  by  the  care 
our  people  take  to  impress  "their  children  and  their 
children's  children"  with  respect  and  gratitude  to 
"Our  Benefactor."  The  Rosenberg  Library  Board 
of  Directors  now  deems  it  fitting  to  commemorate 
the  public  gifts  and  bequests  of  Henry  Rosenberg  by 
means  of  this  volume. 

ROSENBERG  MEMORIAL  BOOK  COMMITTEE 

WILLIAM  T.  ARMSTRONG,  Chairman 
R.  WAVERLEY  SMITH 
EDWARD  RANDALL 
May,  1918        FRANK  C.  PATTEN,  Librarian 


CONTENTS 

FOREWORD vii 

Memorial  Book  Committee 

PART  I 

BIOGRAPHY 

HENRY  ROSENBERG 3 

Hon.  Robert  G.  Street 

LETTER  FROM  HENRY  ROSENBERG'S 

NATIVE  VILLAGE 13 

Heinrich  Aebli,  President  of  the  Commune  of  Bilten 

EATON  CHAPEL 17 

THE  HENRY  ROSENBERG  FREE  SCHOOL      .      .      .19 
THE  SORROW  OF  THE  CITY  . 23 

INSCRIPTION  ON  THE  ROSENBERG  MONUMENT  IN 
LOUDON  PARK  CEMETERY,  BALTIMORE,  MARY- 
LAND   29 

TRIBUTE  AT  THE  FUNERAL  SERVICES  AT 

ROSENBERG  SCHOOL 31 

Hon.  Robert  G.  Street 

HENRY  ROSENBERG:  A  POEM 35 

Clarence  Ousley 

HENRY  ROSENBERG:  A  POEM 37 

John  P.  Sjolander 


CONTENTS 
FOUNDER'S  DAY 39 

ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS,  MAY  i,  1911     .      .      .41 
Hon.  Yancey  Lewis 

THE  STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG     .  55 

ADDRESS  AT  THE  UNVEILING  OF  THE  STATUE  OF 

HENRY  ROSENBERG 57 

Hon.  Robert  G.  Street 

CHRONOLOGY 69 

PART  II 
BEQUESTS 

LIST  OF  THE  GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS  OF  HENRY 

ROSENBERG  FOR  PUBLIC  PURPOSES      ...     89 

THE  WILL  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 91 

THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  THE  ROSENBERG  ESTATE     97 

THE  GALVESTON  ORPHANS'  HOME 105 

GRACE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 109 

THE  LETITIA  ROSENBERG  WOMAN'S  HOME      .      .113 

THE  GALVESTON  YOUNG  MEN'S  CHRISTIAN 

ASSOCIATION 115 

THE  ROSENBERG  DRINKING  FOUNTAINS     .      .      .123 
THE  TEXAS  HEROES' MONUMENT 125 

THE  TEXAS  HEROES' MONUMENT 129 

"Calves ton  News,"  November  2, 


CONTENTS 
PART  III 

ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

THE  LIBRARY  BEQUEST:  THE  TWENTY-FIRST 

CLAUSE  OF  THE  WILL 141 

ARTICLES  OF  INCORPORATION 143 

THE  CHARTER 145 

THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  1900-1903  .      .      .      .149 
THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS,  1900-1904  .      .      .      .149 

THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  1918 150 

THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS,  1918 150 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  1900-1918   151 

MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS, 

1900-1918 153 

GENERAL  FINANCIAL  STATEMENT 155 

LIBRARY  INCOME  AND  EXPENDITURES,  FEBRUARY, 

1901,  TO  DECEMBER,  1917 157 

LIBRARY  INCOME  AND  EXPENDITURES  FOR  THE 

YEAR  ENDING  DECEMBER  31,  1917      .      .      .158 

ASSETS:  THE  LIBRARY  ENDOWMENT  FUND,  JANU- 
ARY i,  1918 159 

ASSETS:  PROPERTY  USED  FOR  LIBRARY  PURPOSES, 

JANUARY  1,1918 161 

ASSETS  :  SUMMARY,  JANUARY  1,1918     .      .      .      .161 

LAYING  THE  CORNER-STONE  OF  ROSENBERG 

LIBRARY 163 

LIST  OF  ARTICLES  DEPOSITED  IN  THE  CORNER- 
STONE      165 


CONTENTS 

THE  DEDICATION  OF  ROSENBERG  LIBRARY,  JUNE 

22,  1904 169 

DEDICATORY  ADDRESS 173 

Hon.  Marcellus  E.  Kleberg 

THE  ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  BUILDING     .      .      .      .179 

THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  LIBRARY    .      .      .      .187 
Frank  C.  Patten,  Librarian 

HISTORICAL  AND  STATISTICAL  SUMMARY    .      .     .223 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PART  I 
BIOGRAPHY 

PLATE 

Henry  Rosenberg Frontispiece 

1  The   Birthplace  of  Henry  Rosen- 

berg   Facing  page      3 

2  Henry  Rosenberg  in  1891  (Age  67) 

at  his  Birthplace        ....  3 

3  His  Childhood  Home  in  Bilten       .  3 

4  Rudolf  Rosenberg,  1798-1862       .  3 

5  The  Village  Church  of  Bilten  .  13 
The  Village  of  Bilten    .      .      .  Headpiece,  page  13 

6  Eaton  Chapel  and  Trinity  Church  .   Facing  page  17 

7  The  Henry  Rosenberg  Free  School  19 

8  Henry  Rosenberg,  Age  21  ...  23 

9  Henry  Rosenberg,  Age  about  50     .  23 

10  The   Residence   of   Henry  Rosen- 

berg, Galveston 23 

1 1  Memorial  Resolutions  of  the  Gal- 

veston City  Council  ....  29 

12  The   Rosenberg   Monument,   Lou- 

don  Park  Cemetery,  Baltimore, 

Maryland 29 

13  Rosenberg  Day,  1913  ....  39 

xin 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

14  "Our  Benefactor"  (Statue  in  Front 

of  Rosenberg  Library)   .      .      .   Facing  page    55 

15  Unveiling  the  Statue  of  Henry 

Rosenberg 57 

The  Galveston  City  Seal     .      .     Tailpiece,  page    85 

PART  II 
BEQUESTS 

1 6  The  Executors  and  Attorney  of  the 

Rosenberg  Estate      ....   Facing  page    97 

17  The  Galveston  Orphans'  Home   .  105 

1 8  Grace  Episcopal  Church      ...  109 

19  Interior  View  of  Grace  Episcopal 

Church 109 

20  The   Letitia   Rosenberg   Woman's 

Home 113 

21  The  Galveston  Young  Men's  Chris- 

tian Association  115 

22  Y.  M.  C.  A. — Office  and  Reception 

Room 115 

22    Y.  M.  C.  A. — Gymnasium.      .      .  115 

The  Rosenberg  Drinking  Fountains  123 

The  Rosenberg  Drinking  Fountains  1 23 

24  Monument  to  the  Heroes  of  the 

Texas  Revolution  of  1836  ..  125 

25  The  Heroes'  Monument  on  the  Day 

of  Unveiling 125 

26  Bronze  Panel  of  the  Heroes'  Monu- 

ment :  The  Defense  of  the  Alamo 

(South  Side) 125 

[XIV  ] 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

26  Bronze  Panel  of  the  Heroes'  Monu- 

ment: Massacre  at  Goliad  (East 

Side Facing  page  125 

27  Bronze  Panel  of  the  Heroes'  Monu- 

ment :  General  Houston's  Charge 
at  the  Battle  of  San  Jacinto 
(West  Side) 125 

27  Bronze  Panel  of  the  Heroes'  Monu- 

ment: The  Surrender  of  Santa 
Anna  to  General  Houston  at  San 
Jacinto  (North  Side)  ...  125 

28  The    Heroes'     Monument     (Two 

Views  from  the  East)     ...  129 

29  The    Heroes'    Monument     (Two 

Views  from  the  West)    ...  129 

The  Texas  State  Seal    .      .       .     Tailpiece,  page  138 


PART  III 
ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

30  Rosenberg  Library,  from  a  Draw- 

ing by  Vernon  Howe  Bailey  .      .    Facing  page  141 

31  The  Rosenberg  Library  Board  of 

Directors,  1900-1904     ...  149 

32  Laying  the  Corner-stone  of  Rosen- 

berg Library 163 

33  The  Corner-stone,  showing  Inscrip- 

tions           165 

34  Rosenberg  Library  in  1906       .  169 

35  Rosenberg  Library  in  1916       .      .  179 

36  Rosenberg  Library  in  1910  and  in 

1913 

Cxv] 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

37  Rosenberg  Library — East  End  and 

South  Side Facing  page  179 

38  Rosenberg  Library — Front  En- 

trance        179 

39  Rosenberg  Library  (Looking  North 

on  Tremont  Street)         ...  179 

39  Branch  Library  for  Colored  People  179 

40  Rosenberg     Library     Plans — First 

and  Second  Floors    ....  187 

41  Main  Corridor        ......  187 

42  Periodical     Reading    Rooms    and 

Corridor 187 

43  Book  Room,  showing  Reference 

Desk 187 

44  Book  Room,  showing  Card  Catalog 

and  Lending  Counter      ...  187 

45  Offices  of  Librarian  and  First 

Assistant 187 

46  Cataloging  and  Work  Rooms  .  187 

47  Stairways  to  Second  Story  ...  187 

48  Lecture  Hall  in  Second  Story    .      .  187 

49  Children's    Department — Entrance 

and  Reading  Room  ....  187 

50  Children's  Department — Reading 

Room  and  Story  Room    ...  187 

51  Wood  Carvings  on  Settles  in  Chil- 

dren's Reading  Room     ...  187 

52  Mantels,  First  and  Second  Stories  .  187 

[XVI  ^ 


PART  I 
BIOGRAPHY 


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HENRY  ROSENBERG  IN  1891 

Age  67 
At  his  Birthplace 


PLATE  No.  2 


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RUDOLF  ROSENBERG,  1798-1862 
Father  of  Henry  Rosenberg 


PLATE  No.  4 


HENRY   ROSENBERG 

BY  HON.  ROBERT  G.  STREET 

COMING  to  Galveston  when  he  was  nineteen 
years  old  and  abiding  there  until  his  death,  a 
period  of  fifty  years ;  beginning  as  a  clerk  and 
on  attaining  his  majority  buying  out  his  employer, 
Mr.  Rosenberg's  life  was  thenceforth  that  of  an  active 
and  public-spirited  business  man,  prominently  iden- 
tified with  most  of  the  city's  financial  institutions  and 
taking  a  leading  part  in  all  measures  for  the  upbuild- 
ing of  the  city  itself.  He  was  for  many  years,  until 
his  banking  interests  claimed  his  chief  attention,  one 
of  the  leading  dry-goods  merchants  of  Texas.  He 
had  no  taste  for  partisan  politics  but  was  ever  ready 
to  render  his  unpaid  service  as  a  public-spirited  busi- 
ness man  for  the  advantage  of  his  fellow  citizens  in 
promoting  the  welfare  of  the  city,  always  dear  to 
him.  He  rendered  notable  service  in  this  respect  as 
president  of  the  Board  of  Harbor  Improvements,  a 
work  begun  by  the  city  in  1871  for  the  removal  of  the 
inner  bar  of  Galveston  Harbor.  It  was  carried  to 
successful  completion  under  his  administration. 

Such  a  life  does  not  present  those  dramatic  inci- 
dents that  arrest  the  attention  of  the  casual  observer, 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

but  is  rather  one  the  fullness  of  whose  import  is  to  be 
gathered  only  from  an  intimate  knowledge  of  its 
multitudinous  activities  and  the  manner  in  which 
from  day  to  day  the  responsibilities  they  devolved 
were  met  and  discharged.  He  was  too  self-reliant 
and  independent  to  have  had  many  intimate  friends, 
and  such  as  he  had  have  now  all  passed  away.  He 
was  essentially  a  man  of  affairs,  and  too  engrossed 
with  private  business  and  the  business  aspect  of  pub- 
lic affairs  to  have  time  or  inclination  for  social  life, 
which  he  touched  but  lightly,  though  always  with 
characteristic  dignity  and  affability.  Few  have  lived 
a  life  that  was  more  an  open  book  to  all,  yet,  though 
frank  and  candid  both  in  business  and  social  life,  he 
had  no  fondness  for  talking  about  himself,  even  of  his 
early  struggles — so  often  a  pardonable  weakness  in 
self-made  men.  Though  genial  and  possessed  of  a 
sense  of  humor,  thus  brightening  and  lightening  the 
path  of  daily  life  for  himself  and  others,  he  was  in 
no  sense  an  eccentric  and  has  left  no  fund  of  anecdote 
behind.  Though  Mr.  Rosenberg's  life  would  always 
have  furnished  stimulation  and  encouragement  to  the 
young  as  a  typical  illustration  of  what  it  is  in  the 
power  of  all  young  men  to  accomplish  by  the  exercise 
of  the  virtues  of  temperance  in  all  things,  of  a  high 
sense  of  honorable  dealing,  of  untiring  energy,  self- 
denial  and  frugality,  joined  with  a  brave  heart  and 
high  aspirations,  yet  the  elements  of  character  that 
chiefly  endear  his  memory  to  his  fellow  citizens  were 
made  most  conspicuously  apparent  toward  his  life's 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

close,  and  were  fully  revealed  only  by  his  will.  It 
sometimes  casts  a  flood  of  light  on  one's  character  to 
know  the  things  of  his  greatest  antipathy,  and  with 
him  these  were  the  poser  and  the  idler.  Though  his 
frequent  charities  and  acts  of  philanthropy  during 
the  whole  course  of  his  life  were  necessarily  known 
to  a  few,  yet  he  shrank  from  their  public  recognition, 
and  it  was  not  until  it  neared  the  end  that,  his  large 
means  giving  him  the  opportunity  and  the  larger 
proportions  assumed  by  his  benefactions  attracting 
general  notice,  he  was  prominently  brought  before 
the  public  eye  in  this  relation. 

But  it  would  be  a  mistake  to  think  that  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg's liberal  devotion  of  his  means  to  objects  of 
public  beneficence  was  manifested  only  by  his  will, 
and  hence,  possibly,  to  indulge  the  reflection,  often 
unjust,  to  which  such  an  act,  standing  alone,  some- 
times gives  rise;  for,  not  to  mention  his  large  dona- 
tion to  the  building  of  Eaton  Chapel  in  memory  of 
his  old  friend  and  pastor,  Rev.  Benjamin  Eaton, 
first  rector  of  Trinity  parish  at  Galveston,  he 
built  the  Rosenberg  School  during  his  lifetime.  Mr. 
Rosenberg's  will  was  executed  in  1892;  the  Rosen- 
berg School  was  finished  some  two  or  three  years 
earlier.  He  had  superintended  its  construction  daily, 
and  after  the  school  was  opened  was  a  frequent 
visitor,  not  on  formal  occasions  only  but  during 
school  hours  and  at  recess.  To  one  who  remembers 
the  deep  interest  he  took  in  the  construction  of  the 
building  and  the  affectionate  and  playful  relations 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

between  himself  and  the  children  of  the  school,  re- 
flecting happiness  no  less  in  his  countenance  than  in 
theirs,  it  is  natural  to  believe  that  the  sentiments  of 
altruism  and  service  thus  given  an  opportunity  for 
freer  development  and  finding  in  his  heart  congenial 
soil,  there  acquired  by  their  exercise  a  new  vigor  that 
in  some  degree  influenced  his  bequests  to  the  city  of 
Galveston.  So  true  is  it  that  Nature  makes  rich  re- 
sponse to  those  who  reduce  to  practice  the  noblest 
sentiments  of  the  human  heart,  thus  enriching  him 
who  wisely  gives.  "A  good  diffused  and  in  diffusion 
ever  more  intense."  It  was  not,  however,  without  a 
deep  knowledge  of  the  human  heart  that  the  greatest 
of  English  poets  bade  the  people  listen  to  the  will  of 
their  benefactor  before  pronouncing  judgment  on  his 
memory.  And  when  it  is  seen  that  this  final  act  is  in 
keeping  with  the  story  of  the  inner  life  of  him  who 
did  it,  as  that  story  was  known  to  those  who  knew  him 
best,  such  a  will  becomes  a  mirror  of  life  and  char- 
acter. Indeed,  a  distinguished  gentleman  delivering 
the  address  for  1911,  at  the  Library  on  "Rosenberg 
Day,"  one  who  had  never  known  Mr.  Rosenberg  nor 
even  lived  in  the  same  city  with  him,  but  whose  gen- 
erous interest  had  been  excited  merely  by  reading  a 
copy  of  his  will,  undertook,  from  that  instrument 
alone,  to  outline  the  lineaments  of  his  character  and 
reconstruct  a  picture  of  him  as  he  in  truth  existed. 
So  true  to  life  was  the  sketch  thus  eloquently  drawn 
and  so  deep  the  appreciation  of  the  man  as  he  was 
personally  known  to  many  of  those  present,  it  was 

C6] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

difficult  for  them  to  understand  that  it  was  not  a  pic- 
ture drawn  from  life  and  the  gifted  orator  one  of  his 
most  intimate  friends.  If  one  will  but  consider  the 
will  as  a  true  exponent  of  the  man,  the  elements  must 
indeed  have  been  divinely  mixed  in  him.  His  for- 
tune, a  large  one  for  the  time  and  place,  had  been 
accumulated  exclusively  by  his  own  industry  and  tal- 
ents. After  making  provision  for  his  surviving  wife 
and  a  few  personal  legacies,  his  will  breathes  the 
spirit  of  service  in  the  recognition  that  he  held  the 
bulk  of  his  estate  in  trust  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the 
people  of  Galveston,  and  proceeds  to  apply  it  accord- 
ingly in  the  manner  prompted  by  his  own  sentiments 
and  directed  by  his  practical  sagacity — a  Monument 
to  the  Heroes  of  the  Texas  Revolution  of  1836,  a 
perpetual  appeal  to  Patriotism,  Honor,  Courage,  and 
Devotion ;  a  Woman's  Home,  a  refuge  for  the  aged 
and  infirm  and  as  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  wife 
for  forty  years,  with  whose  aid  he  had  made  his  for- 
tune; an  Orphans'  Home,  an  evidence  of  his  loving 
care  for  helpless  and  innocent  children;  drinking 
fountains  for  man  and  beast,  supplying  the  need  and 
convenience  of  water  for  general  use  and  for  the  re- 
lief of  domestic  animals;  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  for  the  instruction,  training,  and  recre- 
ation of  boys  and  young  men;  a  church  at  Galveston 
and  one  in  his  native  village  in  Switzerland,  and  a 
large  gift  in  money  as  a  permanent  charitable  fund 
for  use  in  the  latter  place;  a  donation  to  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Society  of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Galveston, 

[73 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

and  the  rest  and  residue  of  his  estate,  about  $400,000, 
constituting  the  greater  part  of  the  entire  estate,  to 
found  a  great  free  public  library  at  Galveston.  What 
a  variety  of  admirable  sentiments  to  animate  the  soul 
of  one  man!  What  a  variety  of  suffering  relieved! 
What  civic  needs  supplied!  What  testimony  to  his 
own  religious  conviction!  What  pious  regard  for  the 
home  of  his  childhood!  What  wise  appreciation  by 
a  business  man  of  the  value  of  a  great  free  public 
library,  where  instructive  and  entertaining  lectures 
are  provided,  and  where,  with  all  its  wealth  of  oppor- 
tunity, no  charge  can  possibly  be  incurred! 

It  is  not  likely  that  there  is  any  city  in  which  these 
gifts  would  not  have  supplied  a  more  or  less  urgent 
need,  none  to  which  they  would  not  have  been  wel- 
come; but  by  his  practical  sagacity  the  provision 
made  for  each  is,  by  common  consent,  proportionately 
what  it  should  have  been  in  Galveston.  In  the  wants 
they  supply  and  the  opportunities  they  afford  for 
higher  civic  and  individual  life,  it  is  no  exaggeration 
to  say  that  they  are  generations  in  advance  of  what 
would  have  been  possible  from  public  resources 
alone.  Among  the  beneficent  purposes  they  serve,  it 
is  not  to  be  overlooked  that  they  serve  all  alike,  and 
must  ever  constitute  an  appeal  for  unity  and  harmony 
of  feeling  and  a  bond  of  sympathy  and  an  inspiration 
to  cooperation  in  all  that  makes  for  higher  and  better 
living.  May  not  the  essence  of  Henry  Rosenberg's 
gifts  to  the  city  of  Galveston  be  found  in  this  ten- 
dency to  unify  and  harmonize  its  people,  in  this  age 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

of  strife  and  bitterness  between  classes,  into  one  class 
whose  aim  shall  be  civic  and  individual  righteous- 
ness? 

On  the  completion  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Building, 
Mrs.  Rosenberg,  always  deeply  sympathetic  with  his 
public  benefactions,  presented  the  Association  with 
an  excellent  portrait  of  Mr.  Rosenberg,  which,  sus- 
pended in  the  front  office,  bears  the  inscription  "Our 
Benefactor,"  given  it  by  Dr.  Palmer,  the  Secretary 
of  the  Association,  a  title  that  has  now  been  univer- 
sally adopted.  The  first  of  May  has  been  selected  by 
the  School  Board  of  the  city  as  "Rosenberg  Day" 
and  made  a  school  holiday;  it  has  also  been  adopted 
by  the  Directors  of  the  Rosenberg  Library  by  the 
same  title  and  made  a  library  holiday.  It  is  annually 
observed  by  appropriate  addresses  in  the  library 
lecture  hall.  These  occasions  are  always  largely  at- 
tended and  made  enjoyable  and  instructive.  In  like 
manner,  previous  to  the  establishment  of  this  custom 
by  the  Library  Association,  appropriate  exercises 
were  held  in  the  assembly  hall  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
on  the  anniversary  of  his  birth. 

By  Mr.  Rosenberg's  will  Major  A.  J.  Walker  and 
Mr.  W.  J.  Frederich  were  appointed  independent 
executors,  without  bond,  and  some  time  later,  by  Mr. 
Frederich's  death,  the  executorship  of  the  estate  was 
devolved  exclusively  upon  Major  Walker.  These 
duties  he  continued  faithfully  to  discharge,  complet- 
ing all  the  works  and  buildings  before  turning  them 
over,  and  adding  considerably  to  the  value  of  the 

[93 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

estate  by  judicious  investments  and  sales ;  his  final  act 
being  the  delivery  of  the  residue  of  the  estate  to  the 
Library  Association  after  its  incorporation  in  1900. 

Major  M.  F.  Mott  and  Major  Walker  were  Mr. 
Rosenberg's  most  intimate  friends  surviving  him. 
They  have  both  passed  away.  Major  Mott  was  also 
his  attorney  and  drew  his  will.  Deep  regret  is  felt 
that  Major  Mott's  address  at  the  dedication  of  the 
Library  cannot  be  reproduced.  It  was  not  written, 
and  no  adequate  report  of  it  was  made  at  the  time. 
Had  it  been  preserved,  there  would  have  been  no 
occasion  for  this  sketch,  and,  besides  presenting  the 
matter  given  here,  it  would  have  contained  other  in- 
structive data  relating  to  the  life  of  "Our  Benefac- 
tor," illumining  the  whole  with  interesting  personal 
reminiscences. 

I  knew  Mr.  Rosenberg.  I  have  said  that  he  loathed 
the  poser  and  the  idler.  As  was  said  of  another,  he 
would  as  soon  have  given  himself  leave  to  steal  as  to 
dissemble.  Nothing  would  have  shamed  him  more 
than  exaggerated  and  indiscriminate  eulogy;  but  if 
it  is  possible  for  those  in  the  spirit  land  to  be  con- 
scious of  earthly  things,  then  I  am  persuaded  that  his 
spirit  is  made  happier  by  the  knowledge  of  the  wise 
and  honorable  stewardship  of  those  to  whom  he  con- 
fided his  estate  and  its  faithful  devotion  to  the  benefi- 
cent purposes  he  contemplated,  and  that  now,  after 
the  lapse  of  more  than  ten  years  since  the  last  of 
these  completed  works  entered  upon  its  ever-widen- 
ing mission,  all  of  them  do  conduce,  and  give  promise 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

of  continuing  to  conduce  for  time  unlimited,  to  the 
ennobling  and  beautification  of  the  city  and  the  in- 
tellectual and  moral  upbuilding  of  the  people  he 
loved. 

I  seem  to  see  now,  as  in  a  vision,  a  poor  Switzer 
boy,  reared  in  a  humble  cot  in  an  obscure  vale  where 
the  rays  of  the  sun  came  not,  standing  at  the  foot  of 
the  mighty  cliffs  that  shut  in  his  lonely  lot,  as  with 
upturned  face  he  gazes  on  the  spot  of  heavenly  blue 
their  rifted  summits  permit  him  to  see.  Lo!  with  a 
great  longing  to  see  what  lay  beyond,  he  approaches 
the  steep  mountain-side  and  seems  to  dare  the  ascent; 
hewing  with  his  hands  a  resting-place  for  his  feet, 
step  by  step  he  mounts  into  the  higher  air.  The  way 
is  long  and  dangerous,  but,  sustained  by  an  unfalter- 
ing courage  and  sublime  trust,  he  pursues  his  perilous 
course.  Look!  at  last  he  gains  the  summit;  and  now, 
resting  on  his  knees,  he  beholds  "the  heavens  that  de- 
clare the  glory  of  God,  the  firmament  that  sheweth 
His  handiwork,  the  day  unto  day  that  uttereth 
speech,  and  the  night  unto  night  that  sheweth  know- 
ledge!" Weary  and  worn,  but  happy  because  he  has 
shown  others  the  way  to  the  stars  and  made  the  path 
easier  to  them,  smiling,  he  sinks  to  rest  and  dies 
content. 


Built  in  1816.    Here  Henry  Rosenberg  was  christened  in  1824  and  con- 
firmed in  1840.     The  church  was  renovated  and  improved  in  1890 
and  1891  through  the  generosity  of  Henry  Rosenberg 


PLATE  No  5 


T he  Village  of  Bilten 

LETTER  FROM  HENRY  ROSENBERG'S 
NATIVE  VILLAGE 

THE  village  of  Bilten,  the  birthplace  of  Consul 
Henry  Rosenberg,  lies  on  the  western  boundary 
of  Canton  Glarus,  Switzerland,  and  has  about  600 
inhabitants.  The  village  lies  at  the  foot  of  the  Hirtzli 
in  a  beautiful  location,  and  with  its  fine  farms  planted 
with  fruit  trees  it  presents  an  appearance  quite 
idyllic.  Bilten  has  a  railway  station  on  the  Zurich- 
Chur  line.  The  inhabitants  of  Bilten  nearly  all  carry 
on  agriculture,  but  a  very  few  are  tradespeople  or 
mechanics.  The  people  are  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances and  lead  a  rather  quiet,  even  existence  which 
is  not  strongly  influenced  by  the  great  events  of  the 
outer  world.  The  commune  itself  possesses  large 
tracts  of  land  which,  in  part,  are  divided  among  the 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

citizens;  two  large  mountain  pastures  (Alpen)  are 
leased.  The  principal  interest  is  dairying.  The  vil- 
lage has  as  public  buildings  the  church  and  the 
school-house,  and  it  has  its  own  electric  light  plant. 

With  regard  to  the  church,  I  refer  you  to  the  jubi- 
lee celebration  pamphlet.1  The  facts  are  that  Mr. 
Rosenberg  in  the  year  1891  caused  to  be  carried 
through  the  renovation  of  the  little  old,  dilapidated 
church,  and  out  of  it  made  a  beautiful,  neat  little 
country  church  which  still  stands  to-day  as  a  fine  tes- 
timony of  his  beneficence.  He  assumed  the  entire 
cost,  which  amounted  to  about  25,000  francs.  I 
have  no  photographs  at  my  disposal  except  that  used 
as  a  frontispiece  of  the  festival  pamphlet.  [See 
Plate  5.] 

1  "In  the  year  1891,  a  time  within  your  own  memory,  the  reno- 
vation of  the  interior  and  exterior  was  accomplished,  the  cost  of 
which,  in  magnanimous  manner,  the  benefactor  of  the  commune, 
Consul  Rosenberg,  assumed.  May  this  friend  and  patron  of  the 
church  be  especially  thought  of  with  gratitude  to-day!  The  reno- 
vation had  become  very  necessary,  in  that  the  church  was  no  longer 
in  the  best  state  of  repair.  This  was  not  to  be  ascribed  to  simple 
neglect,  for  such  work  is  costly  and  the  means  for  it  were  never  at 
hand.  The  people  were  glad  to  cover  the  ordinary  running  ex- 
penses of  the  church.  Even  for  that  it  needed  considerable  effort. 
So  it  became  necessary  before  1891  to  raise  the  maximum  legal  tax, 
and,  notwithstanding  that,  to  this  tax  was  added  the  interest  on 
church  property  originating  in  an  earlier  time.  But  even  then  the 
amount  was  not  large  enough,  and  usually  there  was  still  a  deficit 
that  had  to  be  assumed  by  the  Tagwen  (Burghers'  Council).  It 
may  be  said  that  this  church  tax,  in  its  entirety,  was  raised  without 
opposition,  a  part  of  it  from  the  church  membership  in  Schanis, 
from  which  the  general  sentiment  toward  the  church  may  be  in- 
ferred. The  sacrifice  that  the  church  needed  was  made.  Since  the 
bequest  of  Consul  Rosenberg  it  is  quite  different,  in  that  there  is 


LETTER  FROM  NATIVE  VILLAGE 

We  have  here  no  biography  of  the  late  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg. It  is  known  only  that  as  a  nineteen-year-old 
youth,  disappointed  in  not  obtaining  a  desired  public 
clerkship,  he  emigrated  to  America  and  there  ac- 
quired his  large  fortune.  He  had  two  sisters  in 
Bilten  who  were  not  so  fortunate  as  to  live  to  see  him 
upon  his  return  [1890]  after  fifty  years'  absence. 
During  their  lifetime  he  frequently  assisted  them, 
and  he  remembered  their  children  in  his  will. 

In  the  will  of  Mr.  Rosenberg  the  following  ap- 
pears : 

A.  To  the  Waisenamt  (orphanage)  of  Bilten,  255,- 

ooo  francs. 

B.  To  the  Gemeinde  (commune)  of  Bilten,  153,000 

francs. 

now  no  church  tax.    Likewise  in  this  regard  we  have  to-day  to  be 
thankful  to  this  man. 

"In  connection  with  the  renovation  in  the  year  1891,  a  desire 
was  expressed  to  increase  the  height  of  the  church  tower  and  to 
place  thereon  a  steeple.  In  the  church  council  the  matter  was  dis- 
cussed, and  they  believed  the  opportunity  was  favorable,  in  that  the 
scaffolding  was  still  standing.  But  the  estimated  cost  of  about 
4000  francs,  which  sum  the  members  of  the  church  would  have  to 
bear,  deterred  them  somewhat;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  they  did 
not  wish  to  change  the  renovation  plan  approved  by  Consul  Rosen- 
berg, though  at  their  own  expense,  because  such  action  might  pro- 
duce a  wrong  impression  upon  him.  So  the  matter  regarding  the 
tower,  which  we  still  have  to-day,  was  dropped,  and  this  work,  in 
which  larger  bells  would  also  have  been  included,  is  reserved  for  a 
later  generation.  The  present  bells  date  back  to  the  year  1832  and 
were  cast  by  Meister  Ruetschi  in  Aarau.  Among  these  bells  there 
still  hangs,  now  unused,  an  old  small  bell  supposed  to  have  come 
from  the  chapel  of  St.  Catherine." — History  of  the  Church  and 
Parish  of  Bilten  for  the  Three  Hundredth  Anniversary,  September 
22,  1907,  by  H.  HlRZEL,  Pastor. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Both  foundations  were  established  by  Mr.  Rosenberg 
for  educational  and  charitable  purposes,  and  the  in- 
terest only  is  used.  By  the  terms  of  the  will  the 
orphanage  board  manages  the  former  fund,  and  the 
latter  fund  is  controlled  by  the  commune  council. 
The  desire  commonly  prevails  to  administer  these 
foundations  in  the  intent  and  spirit  of  the  testator, 
and  above  all  to  preserve  the  funds  themselves  ever 
unimpaired  for  posterity. 

The  commune  has  sent  to  Galveston,  to  the  wife  of 
the  late  Mr.  Rosenberg,  a  fine  official  acknowledg- 
ment, a  copy  of  which  we  have  retained.  A  large 
portrait  of  Consul  Rosenberg  adorns  each  of  our 
school-rooms  and  also  the  parsonage,  and  our  leading 
citizens  always  delight  to  make  honorable  mention 
of  the  great  citizen  and  benefactor  from  time  to  time 
on  appropriate  public  occasions. 

These  are  the  facts,  so  far  as  my  knowledge  goes. 

It  will  give  me  pleasure,  as  president  of  the  com- 
mune, if  my  short  statement  can  contribute  somewhat 
to  the  highly  deserved  honor  of  our  great  fellow 
citizen  and  benefactor. 

With  respect, 

HEINRICH  AEBLI, 

President  of  the  Commune. 
May,  1912. 


EATON  CHAPEL  AND  TRINITY 

EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

Mr.  Rosenberg  contributed  $10,000  in  1882  toward 
building  the  chapel 


PLATE  No.  6 


EATON  CHAPEL 

EATON  CHAPEL  was  erected  as  a  memorial  to 
Rev.  Benjamin  Eaton,  Rector  of  Trinity  Epis- 
copal Church,  who  died  in  1871.  About  one  half  the 
cost  was  contributed  by  Henry  Rosenberg.  He  also 
gave  the  handsome  stained  glass  window,  "The  Good 
Shepherd,"  which  is  in  the  chapel.  The  window  is 
the  work  of  J.  &  R.  Lamb  of  New  York  City.  The 
chapel  and  ground  cost  about  $18,000.  The  building 
was  dedicated  on  Sunday,  March  19,  1882.  Mr. 
Rosenberg's  total  contribution  was  about  $10,000. 

While  Rev.  Benjamin  Eaton  was  rector  he  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  a  parish  school  and  lots  were  pur- 
chased. After  his  death  his  congregation  decided  to 
make  the  building  a  memorial  to  Dr.  Eaton,  and  the 
idea  of  its  purpose  was  enlarged  so  as  to  provide  in 
the  building  for  the  Sunday  school,  lecture  room, 
and  headquarters  for  all  organizations  of  the  church 
and  its  charities.  Mr.  Rosenberg,  at  that  time  a  ves- 
tryman in  the  church,  heartily  espoused  the  cause  and 
encouraged  the  ladies  in  their  work  of  raising  the 
money  needed.  When  it  seemed  impossible  to  raise 
more  and  the  work  was  about  to  come  to  a  standstill, 
Mr.  Rosenberg  came  forward  and  offered  the  money 
necessary  to  complete  the  project.  So  there  stands  at 

[•73 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

the  corner  of  aad  Street  and  Avenue  H  this  chapel, 
which  was,  as  stated  in  the  consecration  service, 
"erected  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  memory  of  Rev. 
Benjamin  Eaton." 


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MR.  ROSENBERG'S  LETTER  OFFERING  TO  DONATE 
A  BUILDING 


GALVESTON,  April  5, 

To  the  President  and  Board  of  School  Trustees : 

GENTLEMEN: 
Having  spent  in  this  city  the  best  years  of  a 
long  and  active  business  life,  extending  throughout  a 
period  of  more  than  forty-four  years,  during  which 
I  have  witnessed  its  steady  growth  from  a  village  to 
a  populous,  prosperous,  and  progressive  commercial 
city,  I  have  long  felt  a  sincere  desire  to  accomplish 
some  undertaking  which  may  in  some  instance  con- 
tribute to  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  a  community 
endeared  to  me  by  association  and  friendship  which 
I  hold  in  grateful  and  kindly  remembrance.  How 
best  to  promote  this  object  has  been  a  subject  to  which 
I  have  given  earnest  thought,  and  believing  now  that 
in  extending  and  enlarging  the  opportunities  of  edu- 
cating the  children  of  this  city  the  greatest  good  and 
best  results  will  be  accomplished,  I  am  prompted  to 
suggest  that  in  the  event  the  Board  of  School  Trus- 
tees will  designate  the  site  recently  acquired,  com- 

D9] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

prising  the  east  half  of  block  311  [west  side  of  nth 
Street,  between  Avenues  G  and  H],  for  the  purpose 
indicated,  I  propose  at  once  to  appropriate  and  con- 
tribute the  sum  of  $40,000  for  the  erection  thereon  of 
a  complete  and  substantial  structure  for  the  purpose 
of  a  public  free  school  for  the  education  of  the  white 
children  of  the  city  of  Galveston.  This  building  I 
propose  shall  be  erected  under  the  superintendence 
of  a  competent  architect  to  be  selected  by  me,  and 
whose  plans  shall  be  fully  approved  by  the  Board  of 
School  Trustees.  Desiring  that  the  construction  of 
the  proposed  building  may  be  begun  and  the  work 
prosecuted  to  early  completion  with  as  little  delay  as 
necessary,  and  that  I  may  have  the  satisfaction,  dur- 
ing the  years  which  may  yet  remain  to  me,  of  wit- 
nessing the  successful  and  good  results  which  I 
sincerely  trust  will  attend  the  undertaking,  I  respect- 
fully ask  at  the  hands  of  your  honorable  body  such 
early  consideration  of  the  proposal  here  submitted 
and  such  action  as  will  give  the  same  practical  effect. 
I  am,  very  sincerely, 

Your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

H.  ROSENBERG. 

Mr.  Rosenberg's  offer  was  accepted  and  a  brick 
stuccoed  building,  206  x  90  feet,  was  constructed 
that  cost  before  completion  about  $75,000.  The  cor- 
ner-stone was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremony  on  June 
30,  1888.  Mr.  Rosenberg  was  represented  in  the  pro- 


HENRY  ROSENBERG  FREE  SCHOOL 

gram  by  Major  M.  F.  Mott,  and  Mr.  R.  V.  Davidson 
responded  on  behalf  of  the  school  trustees.  This  gift, 
completed  before  the  death  of  Mr.  Rosenberg,  gave 
him  great  satisfaction.  He  personally  gave  close 
attention  to  many  matters  having  to  do  with  the  con- 
struction of  the  building,  and  the  result  was  un- 
usually thorough  work.  The  building  was  dedicated 
with  fitting  ceremonies  on  February  15,  1889,  in  the 
presence  of  a  great  throng  of  people  gathered  in  the 
assembly  hall  of  the  building  itself.  On  behalf  of  the 
donor,  Mr.  Thomas  J.  Ballinger  presented  the  build- 
ing to  the  School  Board.  The  response  and  accep- 
tance was  by  Mr.  M.  E.  Kleberg,  President  of  the 
Board  of  School  Trustees.  Mr.  Leo  N.  Levi  was  the 
orator  of  the  occasion. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Age  21 


PLATE  No.  8 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Age  about  50 


PLATE  No.  9 


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THE  SORROW  OF  THE  CITY 

HENRY  ROSENBERG  died  at  his  home  in 
Galveston  at  2  A.M.  on  Friday,  the  twelfth  of 
May,  1893.  His  death  called  forth  many  beautiful 
tributes  and  evidences  of  the  love  and  great  respect 
in  which  he  was  held  not  only  in  his  adopted  city  but 
in  the  State  at  large.  The  State  press  commented 
editorially  upon  Galveston's  great  loss  in  the  death  of 
this  highly  respected  citizen.  Memorial  services  and 
meetings  and  general  mourning  extended  over  a 
period  of  about  three  weeks.  On  the  day  of  Mr. 
Rosenberg's  death  the  School  Board  met  at  noon  to 
take  appropriate  action.  The  public  schools  were 
closed  for  the  day.  The  Consular  Corps  of  Galves- 
ton, of  which  Mr.  Rosenberg  was  a  member  as  Con- 
sul for  Switzerland,  at  the  request  of  the  Dean  placed 
their  flags  at  half  mast  until  after  the  funeral,  and 
attended  the  funeral  in  a  body.  Flags  were  half- 
masted  also  over  business  houses  and  yachts  in  the 
harbor.  Many  offices  and  business  houses,  as  a  mark 
of  respect,  closed  their  doors  early.  Messages  of  con- 
dolence and  sympathy  were  received  from  friends 
far  and  near.  Beautiful  floral  offerings  were  sent. 
Among  them  was  a  Swiss  flag — a  red  ground  with  a 
white  cross  in  the  centre — attached  to  which  was  a 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

ribbon  with  the  words:  "La  Colonie  Suisse  de  Gal- 
veston  a  Regrette  son  Consul."  The  conductors  and 
motormen  of  the  Market  Street  line  sent  a  beautiful 
floral  offering  with  the  inscription :  "From  the  con- 
ductors and  motormen  of  the  Market  Street  line.  He 
who  rules  our  destinies  hath  taken  to  Himself  our 
friend."  Resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  vestry  and 
congregation  of  Grace  Church,  by  the  teachers  of 
the  Rosenberg  School,  the  City  Council,  the  Island 
City  Orphans'  Home,  and  other  organizations. 

A  formal  request  signed  by  many  citizens  was  pre- 
sented to  the  family,  that  the  body  be  permitted  to 
lie  in  state  at  the  Rosenberg  School  building,  and  that 
the  funeral  services  be  conducted  there.  The  request 
was  granted  and  the  body  lay  in  state  from  12  o'clock 
noon  until  5  P.M.  on  Sunday,  the  fourteenth  of  May, 
1893.  About  five  thousand  people  viewed  the  re- 
mains. The  funeral  services,  conducted  in  part  at 
the  Rosenberg  School  at  3.30  P.M.,  were  concluded  at 
Grace  Episcopal  Church.  The  pall-bearers  were: 

M.  F.  Mott  J.  Reymershoffer 

J.  H.  Hutchings  J.  P.  Bowen 

C.  F.  Prehn  J.  M.  Brown 

V.  E.  Austin  William  Scrimgeour 

Ben  Barnes  Frank  Vollert 

J.  L.  Long  B.  Adoue 

J.  E.  Toothaker  U.  Muller 

E.  D.  Garratt  George  D.  Briggs 

John  Focke  Charles  Fowler 

I.  Lovenberg  Sanford  Southwick 

r.24] 


SORROW  OF  THE  CITY 

At  the  Rosenberg  School  the  services  were  opened 
with  prayer  by  Rev.  W.  N.  Scott.  There  were  brief 
addresses  by  Mr.  R.  B.  Hawley,  President  of  the 
Board  of  School  Trustees;  Mr.  Oscar  H.  Cooper, 
Superintendent  of  Public  Schools;  and  Colonel  Rob- 
ert G.  Street.  Rev.  Dr.  J.  R.  Carter,  of  Grace  Epis- 
copal Church,  assisted  by  Rev.  W.  N,  Scott  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  conducted  the  services  at  Grace 
Church. 

The  remains  were  temporarily  placed  in  the  vault 
of  Dr.  J.  F.  Y.  Paine  in  the  Cahill  Cemetery,  Gal- 
veston,  and  were  transferred  about  two  weeks  later 
to  Loudon  Park  Cemetery,  Baltimore,  where  they 
were  interred  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the 
deceased. 

On  Saturday,  May  20,  the  munificent  public  be- 
quests by  the  will  of  Mr.  Rosenberg  were  made 
known  to  the  people  through  the  press.  On  Wednes- 
day, May  24,  the  City  Council  met  in  special  session 
to  hear  the  report  of  the  committee  previously  ap- 
pointed to  draft  resolutions  of  respect  to  the  memory 
of  Henry  Rosenberg.  In  accordance  with  a  resolu- 
tion of  this  special  Memorial  Committee  of  the  City 
Council,  "to  the  end  that  the  people  of  Galveston  be 
given  an  opportunity  to  voice  the  deep  sense  of  grati- 
tude and  affection  which  they  entertain  for  their  de- 
ceased friend  and  benefactor,  Henry  Rosenberg,"  the 
Mayor  issued  the  following  proclamation: 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

To  the  People  of  Calves  ton: 

You  are  hereby  called  to  assemble  on  Ball  High  School 
Square,  Tuesday  evening,  May  30,  to  do  honor  to  the 
memory  of  our  late  fellow  citizen,  Henry  Rosenberg. 

A  joint  committee  of  aldermen  and  citizens  have  for- 
mulated the  following  program  for  observance,  to  begin 
promptly  at  eight  o'clock : 

BATTLE  PRAYER  .  .  .  Gaheston  Quartette  Society 
INVOCATION  .........  Rev.  J.  R.  Carter 

INTRODUCTORY  SPEECH T.  J.  Ballinaer 

READING  OF  RESOLUTIONS      .      Offered  by  City  Council 

ORATION Leo  N.  Levi 

"MY  COUNTRY,  'TIS  OF  THEE" 

Gaheston  Quartette  Society 

One  acclaim  of  fervent  gratitude  should  mark  the  tes- 
timony of  this  city  to  the  virtues  and  benefactions  of  this 
noble  man,  whose  life  and  name  are  interwoven  by  golden 
threads  with  all  that  is  most  useful  and  exalted  in  its  his- 

Respectfully, 

R.  L.  FULTON,  Mayor, 

The  Memorial  Committee  that  was  appointed  by  the 
Mayor,  in  accordance  with  the  resolution  of  the  City 
Council,  to  arrange  for  the  public  meeting,  was  com- 
posed of  Thomas  J.  Gallagher,  Charles  Fowler,  J. 
Reymershoffer,  of  the  City  Council,  and  three  citi- 
zens, namely,  George  Sealy,  J.  P.  Alvey,  and  R.  B. 
Hawley.  On  the  occasion  of  the  public  mass  meet- 
ing in  Ball  High  School  Square,  there  were  five  or 
six  thousand  people,  representing  all  classes  and  con- 

[263 


SORROW  OF  THE  CITY 

ditions,  assembled  to  pay  respect  to  the  memory  of 
their  friend  and  benefactor. 

The  final  interment  occurred  on  the  thirty-first  of 
May,  in  Loudon  Park  Cemetery,  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land. During  the  day  in  Galveston  a  circular  which 
read  as  follows  was  signed  by  a  hundred  of  the 
leading  wholesale  and  retail  merchants  and  others : 

GALVESTON,  May  31.— Out  of  respect  to  the  funeral 
obsequies  of  Galveston's  greatest  philanthropist  and 
noblest  benefactor,  which  to-day  take  place  in  Baltimore, 
the  undersigned  citizens  of  the  well-loved  adopted  home 
of  Henry  Rosenberg  will  close  their  respective  places  of 
business  at  four  o'clock. 

Many  besides  those  who  signed  closed  their  places 
of  business.  There  was  an  unusual  quiet  over  the 
city,  and  men  spoke  of  Galveston's  great  benefactor. 


'  UMUTfitS:  wr  rmfttff  jtr//t  ///  ///r  r/fr////////s/yfrr///////rrj  r//////r//rr /rr/. //  //r///r  /j  rf//r/  s 
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r////  //////  ////  y[rr///r  r/  'Jr///^////  /r  y/rr//  r//'  r/fy/rr//////////r  /r//Y  //£/•  r/rr//  srs/jr  r/pS/r/f'- 
•//rr//  /r/////y^/r//r//  /f  •///•//  rftr//  rj/rt///////^S  ///rri  r/frr//jrr//i>/r//r/r7//r/  '  /•r//r/r/r/r/,  •S,r//i>//./(rjr/r/rry. 


//r/r/r 


PLATE  No.  1 1 


THE  ROSENBERG  MONUMENT 
Loudon  Park  Cemetery,  Baltimore,  Maryland 


PLATE  No.  12 


THE  ROSENBERG  MONUMENT  IN  LOUDON  PARK 
CEMETERY,  BALTIMORE,  MARYLAND 

[INSCRIPTION] 

IN  MEMORIAM 
HENRY    ROSENBERG 

BORN  IN 

BILTEN,  CANTON  GLARUS 

SWITZERLAND 

JUNE  22,   1824 

DIED  IN 
GALVESTON,  TEXAS 

MAY  12,   1893 

p 

BELOVED  HUSBAND  OF 
MARY  RAGAN  MACGILL 


HE  DID  JUSTLY,  LOVED  MERCY,  AND 
WALKED    HUMBLY    WITH    HIS    GOD." 


WELL  DONE,  GOOD  AND  FAITHFUL  SERVANT; 
ENTER  THOU   INTO  THE  JOY  OF  THY  LORD." 


ROSENBERG 

[29H 


TRIBUTE  AT  THE  FUNERAL  SERVICES 
AT  ROSENBERG  SCHOOL 

BY  HON.  ROBERT  G.  STREET 

THERE  is  a  solemnity  that  becomes  the  presence 
of  death  far  removed  from  any  dread  or  fear 
of  it.  Sublime  mystery!  That  the  Creator,  that  He 
alone  who  can  create,  that  He  alone  who  has  created, 
should  seemingly  annul,  destroy  the  crowning  work 
of  His  own  hands!  And  wherefore?  For  it  was 
good.  Unspeakable  mystery!  "In  that  sleep  of 
death,  what  dreams  may  come  .  .  .  must  give  us 
pause!"  How  well  the  great  poet  who  has  indicated 
the  eloquence  of  silence  in  the  presence  of  death  un- 
derstood the  human  heart!  "Each  chord  its  various 
tone,  each  note  its  various  bias."  Thus  teaching  us 
what  all  feel  in  this  presence  to-day,  that  its  true  les- 
son is  to  be  learned  only  through  the  self-communion 
of  those  who,  reverent  in  spirit,  approach  it  with  awe 
unmingled  with  fear. 

My  Fellow  Citizens,  the  School  Board  indicated 
to  me  only  an  hour  or  two  since  the  wish  that  I  should 
give  voice  to  the  sentiments  of  this  community  on  the 
death  of  Henry  Rosenberg;  should  tell  why  this  gen- 
eral grief,  why  these  unaccustomed  honors.  I  have 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

but  a  single  thought  to  express,  and  so  sensible  am  I 
of  my  own  unfitness,  I  regret  that,  for  want  of  oppor- 
tunity to  refer  to  it,  I  cannot  give  you  the  eloquent 
language  of  another  expressing  that  thought.  It  is  a 
thought  at  once  so  simple,  so  naturally  springing 
from  the  occasion,  that  the  humblest — aye,  the  very 
children — may  apprehend  it;  so  beneficent  that  it 
may  mitigate  the  grief  of  the  afflicted ;  so  far-reach- 
ing in  its  consequences  that  the  mightiest  intellect 
may  not  fully  grasp  it.  When  the  author  of  the  life 
of  Thomas  Jefferson  sent  a  presentation  copy  of  the 
work  to  Lord  Macaulay,  the  latter — himself  an  ar- 
dent Whig  and  who  might  have  been  expected  to 
sympathize  with  Mr.  Jefferson's  political  creed- 
replied,  saying  he  thought  Mr.  Jefferson's  teachings 
in  behalf  of  universal  suffrage  profound  error,  and 
foretold  immeasurable  disaster  to  this  country  to  flow 
from  its  exercise,  when,  he  said,  the  middle  classes, 
the  sinews  of  strength  in  every  land,  would  be 
ground  to  dust  between  the  very  rich  and  the  very 
poor,  as  between  upper  and  nether  mill-stones.  Gen- 
eral Garfield,  upon  the  floor  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, referring  to  this  incident,  eloquently 
refuted  Lord  Macaulay's  reasoning.  He  said  that 
Lord  Macaulay  had  failed  to  consider  that  we  had 
no  classes  in  America,  that  wealth  and  honors  in  this 
country  were  open  to  all,  and  that  they  were  con- 
stantly achieved  by  the  poorest  and  humblest. 

But  what  shall  we  say  of  the  object-lesson  in  these 
great  principles   that  leaven   the  whole  American 


FUNERAL  SERVICES 

body  politic,  furnished  us  in  the  life  of  Henry  Rosen- 
berg, who,  by  his  own  industry,  sagacity,  prudence, 
frugality,  and  selfrdenial,  achieving  a  large  fortune, 
has  shown  his  appreciation  of  the  value  of  education 
as  a  great  and  potent  factor  in  American  civilization 
and  citizenship  by  pouring  out  his  hard-earned 
wealth  in  a  generous  stream  to  nourish  its  growth? 
What  influence  will  such  a  deed  and  such  a  life  not 
have  in  this  community,  with  which  he  was  so  closely 
identified?  Its  direct  influence  is  apparent.  But  I 
refer  to  its  encouragement  to  others  who  are  blessed 
with  wealth  in  using  it  liberally  to  promote  the  com- 
mon good.  I  said  we  had  no  classes.  But  the  rich 
are  often  intolerant,  and  the  poor  sometimes  are  op- 
pressed, and  still  oftener  consider  themselves  so.  His 
life  will  teach  both  to  be  more  just  and  more  gener- 
ous toward  each  other.  What  nobler  work  in  this  life 
can  any  man  do  than  by  the  generous  acknowledg- 
ment of  the  obligations  of  wealth  to  promote  the  hap- 
piness and  welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he 
lives  and  at  the  same  time  to  take  as  hostages  for  the 
future  preservation  of  law,  order,  and  rights  of  prop- 
erty the  grateful  hearts  of  his  fellow  citizens?  As 
long  as  the  fragrance  of  the  memory  of  Henry  Rosen- 
berg shall  linger  in  this  community  it  must  be  impos- 
sible for  lawless  agitation  and  communism  to  obtain 
a  foothold  here.  He  has  awakened  within  us  those 
feelings  that  make  all  the  world  akin.  Let  us  find 
consolation  in  his  death  in  the  thought  how  his  last 
moments  must  have  been  brightened  with  the  con- 

[333 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

sciousness  that  he  had  contributed  to  the  elevation  of 
his  fellows,  to  the  happiness  and  tranquillity  of  the 
community,  that  he  had  knit  us  all  together  in  the 
bonds  of  love,  of  sympathy  and  mutual  forbearance. 


C343 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

BY  CLARENCE  OUSLEY 

THE  freightage  of  the  surf  is  many  kind. 
Both  wreck  and  treasure  ride  the  crested  wave, 
And  ever  as  it  frets  its  force  away 
Against  unyielding  shores  it  builds  the  strand 
For  men  to  walk  upon  and  trade  and  thrive. 
There  bleaching  lie  the  shells  of  myriad  life 
That  throbbed  but  briefly  in  a  stifling  sea 
And  perished.    And  some,  untimely  cast  ashore, 
Lie  festering  upon  the  sun-kissed  sands, 
Abhorred  and  pestilent,  while  some  are  ripe 
To  death  and  but  repose  in  welcome  rest, 
And  some  are  puny  pigmies  sprawling  prone 
And  rudely  crushed  into  forgetfulness 
By  hurrying  heels  of  eager,  searching  crowds; 
And  some  are  larger  growth  and  stand  erect — 
Majestic  statues  of  a  giant  kind. 
Impacted  in  the  sands  of  time,  behold, 
Nor  wind  nor  tide  nor  jostling  jealousy 
Can  shake  their  adamantine  base — unmoved 
Of  all  the  mutable  that  throng  the  earth. 
And  these  are  they  who  in  their  speeding  day, 
While  youth  and  strength  lent  opportunity, 
With  frugal  husbandry  wrought  hard  and  fast 
To  garner  yellow  wealth  in  honest  bins. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

And  when  the  sun  shone  golden  in  the  west 

And  shadows  deepened  to  the  coming  night, 

They  looked  upon  their  stores  and  smiled  to  think 

That  Power  now  was  minister  to  Wish, 

And  straightway  loosed  the  locks  and  smote  the  bars 

That  young  and  old  and  mind  and  soul  and  beast 

Might  share  the  blessings  of  a  fruitful  life. 

And  they  live  on.    Along  the  pebbled  way 

That  stretches  from  the  utmost  to  the  end 

They  mark  the  certain  progress  of  mankind 

And  guide  us  up  to  godlier  destinies. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

BY  JOHN  P.  SJOLANDER 

HEAVEN  was  not  afar  to  him.    Behold ! 
He  walks  the  city's  streets  with  us  to-day; 
And  where  he  goes  the  pave  is  more  than  gold, 

The  way  a  straighter,  brighter,  better  way, 
With  beauties  manifold. 

And  where  the  door  of  home  is  opened  wide, 
At  close  of  day,  we  find  him  waiting  there, 

Ready  to  share  our  humble  ingleside, 
Making  it  richer  for  the  treasures  rare 

His  bounteous  hands  provide. 

And  where  the  children  are,  there  you  will  find 
Him  always  present,  and  with  outstretched  hand 

Guiding  the  generations,  heart  and  mind, 
That  they  may  be  a  blessing  to  the  land, 

And  to  all  humankind. 

His  was  the  gift,  all  other  gifts  above, 
Which  God  bestows  on  but  a  chosen  few— 

The  gift  to  love  with  an  undying  love.  .  .  . 
Only  that  soul  that  God  and  man  finds  true 

Can  keeper  be  thereof. 

For  man  may  build  a  city  with  much  din, 
And  die  forgotten  'mid  its  stone  and  wood; 

But  immortality  that  soul  shall  win 
Whose  one  thought  is  to  make  its  people  good, 

And  good  to  dwell  therein. 

C373 


19705O 


ROSENBERG  DAY,  1913 
Children  from  Rosenberg  School 


PLATE  No.  13 


FOUNDER'S  DAY 

THE  dedication  and  opening  of  the  Rosenberg 
Library  to  the  public  on  June  22,  1904,  the 
birthday  of  Henry  Rosenberg,  established  the  li- 
brary custom,  observed  for  several  years,  of  celebrat- 
ing that  day  as  Founder's  Day.  Because,  however, 
of  the  evident  desirability  of  commemorating  annu- 
ally, in  the  public  schools,  the  benefactions  of  Henry 
Rosenberg,  it  was  thought  wise  to  change  the  date 
from  the  twenty-second  of  June,  which  follows  the 
close  of  school,  to  the  first  of  May,  when  all  of  the 
schools  would  still  be  in  session.  The  change  was 
accordingly  made,  beginning  with  the  year  1909. 
The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  had  for 
some  years  previous  to  1904  celebrated  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg's birthday. 

Every  year,  on  the  evening  of  the  first  of  May,  the 
Board  of  Directors  invites  the  people  of  Galveston 
to  gather  at  the  library  lecture  hall  to  celebrate  with 
them  Rosenberg  Day.  The  program  for  Founder's 
Day  exercises  consists  of  music  and  an  address  by  a 
prominent  Galveston  citizen  or  some  specially  in- 
vited guest  from  elsewhere.  On  this  occasion  the 
Library  is  decorated  with  plants  and  flowers  and  the 
flags  of  the  United  States,  of  Texas,  and  of  Switzer- 
land. The  portrait  of  Henry  Rosenberg  is  given  a 
place  of  prominence.  The  day  is  a  holiday  in  the 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

public  schools,  with  appropriate  exercises  at  the 
school  buildings  in  the  morning.  The  children  of  the 
Rosenberg  School  bring  flowers  to  decorate  the 
Rosenberg  statue  and  sing  songs  there.  The  children 
of  other  schools  also  bring  flowers  to  the  Library  on 
this  day. 

The  speakers  at  the  dedication  of  the  Rosenberg 
Library  and  succeeding  Founder's  Day  celebrations 
have  been : 


June  22,  1904 


June  22,  1905 
June  22,  1906 
June  22, 1907 
May  i,  1909 
May  2,  1910 

May  i,  1911 
May  i,  1912 

May  i,  1913 
May  i,  1914 

May  i,  1915 

May  i,  1916 
May  i,  1917 

May    i,  1918 


Colonel  M.  F.  MOTT,  Vice-President. 

Hon.  M.  E.  KLEBERG,  Galveston. 

Hon.  ARTHUR  LEFEVRE,  State  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Instruction. 

Mr.  CHARLES  P.  MACGILL, Galveston. 

Rabbi  HENRY  COHEN,  Galveston. 

Mr.  JOHN  T.  WHEELER,  Galveston. 

Mr.  EUGENE  A.  HAWKINS,  Galveston. 

Mr.  F.  CHARLES  HUME,  JR.,  Hous- 
ton, Texas. 

Hon.  YANCEY  LEWIS,  Dallas,  Texas. 

President  SIDNEY  E.  MEZES,  Univer- 
sity of  Texas. 

Dr.  J.  J.  TERRILL,  Galveston. 

Hon.  CLARENCE  OUSLEY,  Fort 
Worth,  Texas. 

Hon.  MORRIS  SHEPPARD,  Texarkana, 
Texas. 

Hon.  W.  P.  HOBBY,  Beaumont,Texas. 

Mr.  GEORGE  WAVERLEY  BRIGGS, 
Galveston. 

President  ROBERT  E.  VINSON,  LL.D., 
University  of  Texas. 

C40] 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS,  MAY  i,  1911 

BY  HON.  YANCEY  LEWIS 

IT  is  said  of  the  great  naturalist,  Cuvier,  that  such 
was  his  learning  and  knowledge  of  the  relations 
in  the  anatomy  of  animal  life  that  you  could  give  to 
him  a  small  part,  a  joint  for  instance,  from  the  frame 
of  some  prehistoric  animal  and  he  could  reconstruct 
from  that  the  entire  creature  as  it  had  existed.  In  a 
sense  it  is  not  a  happy  illustration  of  the  thought  that 
I  would  present;  in  another  sense  it  is  an  accurate 
one.  It  would  not  require  learning  or  skill  on  the 
part  of  one  who  had  informed  himself  of  the  pro- 
visions of  the  will  of  Mr.  Henry  Rosenberg,  from 
that  instrument  to  outline  the  lineaments  of  his  char- 
acter and  to  reconstruct  the  individual  as  he  in  truth 
existed ;  and  it  has  occurred  to  me  that  no  more  profit- 
able endeavor  could  be  made  on  the  part  of  the 
speaker  upon  this  occasion  than  to  attempt  this  work. 
In  the  first  place,  I  should  say  then,  judging  from 
that  great  document,  that  Mr.  Rosenberg  was  a  man 
in  whom  there  was  developed  most  clearly  and 
strongly  the  conception  that  wealth  is  not  given  in 
absolute  and  unqualified  ownership,  but  that  its  pos- 
sessors hold  it  in  trust  for  high  purposes  and  for 
worthy  uses.  It  is  an  idea  that  has  developed  and 
grown  strong  and  been  many  times  illustrated  within 
recent  years.  And  to  my  thinking  it  is  one  of  the 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

most  pregnant,  hopeful,  and  suggestive  characteris- 
tics of  our  age — a  curious  age;  an  age  and  a  country 
in  which  conflicting  and  transcendent  forces  seem  to 
have  been  unloosed;  in  which,  upon  the  greatest 
theatre  that  the  world  has  yet  seen,  man  has  been 
given  the  opportunity  to  play  with  these  forces  and 
to  work  out  his  development  upon  a  scale  that  should 
be  grander  than  has  existed  heretofore — or,  if  evil 
forces  should  prevail,  worse  than  has  been  known  in 
history.  It  is  an  age  in  which  men  have  used  the 
means  and  methods  of  acquisition  with  more  skill 
and  effect  than  has  ever  been  known  at  any  time  in 
the  past.  They  have  used  them  in  a  more  furious 
competition,  a  more  merciless  and  inhuman  competi- 
tion in  some  regards,  than  has  been  illustrated  here- 
tofore; and  the  madness  of  the  pursuit  of  mere 
material  possessions  has  gone  to  an  unparalleled  ex- 
treme. How  curious  is  it  to  observe,  alongside  of 
these  manifestations,  a  sense  of  obligation  in  the  use 
of  wealth,  a  princely  generosity,  a  humanity  of  pro- 
vision for  those  wTho  suffer,  far  surpassing  in  its  ex- 
tent, its  variety,  and  its  development,  anything  that 
has  been  seen  at  any  time  in  past  ages!  If  the  effort 
for  acquisition  has  been  greater,  so  have  the  benefac- 
tions of  men  been  nobler  and  greater  in  our  time  than 
at  other  periods. 

It  is  not  the  least  notable  among  the  many  distinc- 
tions that  we  must  ascribe  to  him  we  honor  this  even- 
ing, that  he  was  almost  the  first  in  this  State,  he  was 
at  least  among  the  first — for  you  have  had  others  in 

[42] 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS 

this  city  who  exhibited  the  same  high  characteristics 
— who  perceived  the  truth  that  is  permeating  the 
minds  of  men  everywhere:  that  he  who  is  given  the 
talent  for  acquisition  receives  it,  not  that  he  may 
enjoy  recklessly  or  wastefully  squander  or  hoard  in 
miserly  greed,  not  that  he  may  in  the  ostentation  of 
frivolous  living  use  that  which  comes  to  him;  but 
that  he  shall  use  it  for  the  betterment  of  his  kind  and 
for  the  elevation  and  the  advancement  of  humanity. 
So  I  should  say,  further,  that  from  this  instrument 
one  would  learn  that  Mr.  Rosenberg  had  in  him  a 
marvelous  and  wonderful  catholicity  and  love  for  all 
good  things,  and  in  this  he  showed  one  of  the  ten- 
dencies that  steadily  becomes  more  marked  as  char- 
acteristic of  our  time,  which  has  a  directness  that 
seeks  essential  good  and  does  not  concern  itself  about 
formulas  and  creeds.  It  was  immaterial  to  him  how 
his  desires  were  to  be  wrought  out  in  detail,  or  what 
denomination  of  those  who  recognize  God's  purposes 
as  controlling  in  the  world  was  to  guide  and  direct 
them.  Truly  may  we  say  of  him  that  it  was  clear  to 
his  mind  that  "through  the  ages  one  increasing  pur- 
pose runs,"  and  that  well  did  he  illustrate  that  "the 
thoughts  of  men  are  widened  with  the  process  of  the 


suns." 


Further,  we  learn  that  in  him  was  that  which, 
above  all  things,  the  age  needs — a  sense  of  relations 
and  of  the  fact  that  duties  and  obligations  spring 
from  relations.  Most  men  realize  that  in  the  relation 
of  family,  of  a  father  to  his  wife  and  children,  there 

[43] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

is  the  obligation  of  maintenance  and  support  and  pro- 
vision. There  are  some  who  do  not  realize  that,  while 
it  may  not  be  so  strong,  there  is  a  duty  as  distinctly 
and  clearly  marked  growing  out  of  the  relation  of 
citizen  to  country  and  State.  And  sometimes  it  has 
occurred  to  me  that  we  in  this  country,  who  have  en- 
joyed an  affluence  of  liberty  and  opportunity,  do  not 
apprehend  this  fact  as  clearly  as  those  who  are  born 
in  other  countries  where  there  is  not  the  same  extent 
of  right  and  individual  piivilege.  How  notable  is  it 
that  Mr.  Rosenberg,  born  in  a  foreign  country,  should 
have  perceived  the  duty  of  the  citizen  to  the  State  and 
to  those  who  have  rendered  it  great  service,  so  clearly 
that  he  was  the  first,  as  I  recall,  who  made  adequate 
provision,  either  among  private  citizens  or  through 
public  legislation,  for  a  monument  to  those  who  laid 
the  foundation  of  our  liberties  in  this  commonwealth 
and  by  their  blood  dedicated  it  to  us  and  to  empire 
and  to  freedom.  How  distinct  becomes  his  percep- 
tion of  relations  and  their  duties  when  we  recall  that 
he  remembered  his  adopted  State  and  the  canton  and 
the  town  in  which  he  was  born  and  made  provision 
for  them;  that  he  remembered  in  such  various  and 
munificent  ways  the  city  in  which  he  had  spent  his 
life  and  in  which  his  labors  had  been  blessed  with 
fortune!  How  well  will  it  be  for  us  when  every  citi- 
zen can  realize  that  in  the  same  sense  that  he  owes  an 
obligation  to  his  child  does  he  owe  another,  an  im- 
perative obligation,  to  his  country  and  to  his  State.  I 
do  not  mean  by  this  to  commend  merely  that  sense  of 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS 

civic  duty,  that  patriotism,  that  makes  a  man  willing 
to  spend  his  life,  if  need  be,  in  defense  of  his  country. 
Admirable  and  essential  as  that  is,  I  hold  that  the  live 
citizen  is  better  than  the  dead  citizen,  and  that  the 
citizen  who  performs  his  civic  duties  with  a  full  sense 
of  the  obligation  that  is  entailed  upon  him  is  many 
times,  thousands  of  times,  more  useful  than  the  sol- 
dier who  goes  out  to  defend  his  country  upon  the 
field  of  battle — though  I  honor  him  duly. 

I  wish  to  bring  this  thought  home  somewhat  more 
fully  and  clearly  than  I  have  done.  The  citizen 
touches  the  State  most  essentially  when  he  exercises 
the  right  of  suffrage.  In  the  exercise  of  that  privi- 
lege he  does  not  exercise  a  natural  right,  but  a  right 
given  to  him  for  the  benefit  of  his  State,  and  for  its 
protection  and  the  promotion  of  its  general  welfare. 
He  does  not  exercise  it  as  a  personal  privilege  or  a 
private  estate  existing  for  his  own  enjoyment,  profit, 
and  pleasure  alone ;  he  exercises  it  as  a  trustee  for  all 
those  who  are  not  given  the  right  to  vote,  to  promote 
good  government  and  the  selection  of  the  wisest  and 
best  men  for  the  administration  of  its  affairs.  I  do 
not  think  there  is  anything  more  plain  than  that  in 
the  exercise  of  this  high  privilege  there  are  many 
who  conceive  that  it  is  a  thing  to  be  used  for  their 
pleasure,  a  thing  in  which  they  may  show  their 
friendship  for  another,  however  unworthy  or  incom- 
petent, a  thing  in  which  they  may  promote  an  incom- 
petent or  do  a  charity,  so  to  speak.  And  yet,  of  most 
of  the  evils  of  which  we  complain  and  which  threaten 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

the  country,  I  would  say  that  this  disposition  and  this 
exercise  of  the  right  of  suffrage,  and  this  failure  to 
apprehend  the  duty  to  the  State  from  the  citizen,  and 
incident  to  the  relation  between  them,  is  the  source 
and  the  cause.  I  hope  to  see  the  time  come  when 
there  shall  be  in  men's  minds  as  distinct  a  perception 
of  the  fact  that  in  choosing  those  who  are  to  admin- 
ister our  affairs  they  perform  a  trustee's  duty,  as  there 
is  in  the  minds  of  the  directors  of  a  bank  that,  in 
selecting  those  who  are  to  administer  the  trust  funds, 
they  are  not  at  liberty  to  be  guided  by  personal  con- 
siderations alone,  but  always  and  at  all  times  must 
make  their  choice  with  reference  to  those  who  will 
best  administer  those  funds  and  promote  the  purposes 
of  the  incorporation  they  serve.  And  I  hope  that  the 
time  will  come  when  a  man  will  no  more  feel  that  he 
is  at  liberty  to  exercise  the  high  privilege  of  suffrage 
through  a  mere  personal  consideration,  and  if  he  does 
will  be  subject  to  the  same  public  criticism,  and  the 
same  odium,  that  would  come  to  the  director  of  a 
bank  who  knowingly  would  put  in  charge  of  its  funds 
a  dishonest  or  unsafe  person  because  of  some  mere 
personal  preference  or  individual  interest  There 
are  sinister  developments  in  our'  public  life  that 
threaten  us.  There  are  evils  that  challenge  our  scru- 
tiny and  arouse  our  alarm.  And  in  the  clamor  of 
voices,  and  in  the  discord  of  councils,  many  new 
things  are  suggested.  But  I  venture  to  believe  that 
we  will  correct  most  of  our  evils  when  we  lodge  in 
the  general  public  mind  the  truth  that  the  citizen, 

[46] 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS 

because  he  is  a  citizen,  has,  incident  to  that  relation, 
high  and  imperative  duties  and  obligations,  and 
should  proceed  to  perform  those  duties  with  an  eye 
that  looks  solely  to  character  and  qualification  in  the 
servants  of  the  State,  rather  than  to  personal  or  sel- 
fish considerations  in  the  exercise  of  the  suffrage  by 
the  voter. 

I  say  that  this  conception  of  relationship,  this  sense 
of  obligation  to  the  village  in  which  he  was  born,  to 
this  city  in  which  he  lived,  and  to  the  State  whose 
laws  and  whose  protection  had  been  about  him,  was 
clearly  defined  in  the  mind  of  Henry  Rosenberg,  and 
it  is  one  of  the  notable  things  in  his  character  and  in 
his  life  that  he  illustrated  it  in  his  will. 

We  know  from  that  instrument,  too,  that  he  was  a 
lover  of  little  children,  and  that  his  spirit  was  one 
with  the  spirit  of  Him  who  said,  "Suffer  little  chil- 
dren to  come  unto  Me,  and  forbid  them  not:  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  Heaven."  We  know  that  he 
had  regard  for  the  animals  who  are  our  dumb  servi- 
tors and  companions,  who  give  us  so  much  of  pure 
delight  and  unselfish  devotion,  and  who  themselves 
suffer,  with  a  sensitiveness  that  we  do  not  duly  appre- 
ciate, so  much  at  our  hands.  We  know  that  he  had 
regard  for  the  aged  and  broken ;  that  he  realized  the 
truth  that 

He  prayeth  best  who  loveth  best 
All  things  both  great  and  small; 

For  the  dear  God  who  loveth  us, 
He  made  and  loveth  all. 

[47] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

All  these  things  are  clearly  marked  as  outlines  and 
lineaments  of  his  character  in  the  provisions  that  he 
made. 

So,  too,  we  know  that  he  was  a  lover  of  books. 
"God  be  praised  for  books!" — those  lamps  that  do 
not  dispel  the  physical  darkness,  but  bring  light  to 
the  mind;  those  friends  who  do  not  fail  us;  those 
wise  counselors  who  are  not  changed  with  change  of 
time  and  circumstance;  those  associates  who,  if  they 
be  with  us,  afford  royal  company,  though  our  lives 
be  obscure  and  we  be  disregarded  by  those  who  are, 
for  the  time  being,  great.  We  know  that  not  only  did 
he  love  them,  but  that  it  was  his  desire  that  others 
should  receive  the  inspiration  that  comes  from  them; 
that  youths,  it  may  be,  without  means,  might  have  the 
opportunity  of  clinging  to  these  precious  possessions 
as  bees  cling  to  the  flowers  that  are  richest  in  honey. 
And  we  know  how  royally  he  made  provision  for  the 
continuance  of  the  light,  the  inspiration,  and  the  wis- 
dom that  come  from  the  immortal  counselors  of  all 
ages  and  all  time. 

Other  things  are  illustrated  in  his  will,  but  these 
are  enough  to  show  sufficiently  the  manner  of  man 
that  he  was  truly.  I  do  not  know  what  his  habitual 
manner  was.  But  I  know  from  these  things  what  the 
real  man  was  and  what  his  estimate  of  real  values  and 
real  duties  was.  And  so  knowing  him,  I  am  led  to 
believe  that  while  he  exhibited  a  princely  generosity, 
and  while  his  benefactions,  both  in  their  uses  and 
their  values,  are  most  impressive,  the  most  priceless 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS 

thing  that  he  gave  to  Galveston  is  to  be  found  in  the 
fact  that  he  gave  to  you,  and  illustrated  to  you,  in  this 
testamentary  act,  a  rare,  a  wise,  a  beautiful  spirit. 
And  my  belief  is  that,  though  these  noble  buildings 
and  these  great  benefactions  impress  us,  as  the  years 
go  by  and  our  perceptions  become  clearer  it  will  yet 
be  apprehended  that  the  noblest  service  that  he  did 
to  this  city  and  to  this  State  was  in  the  illustration  of 
the  qualities  that  formed  the  lineaments  and  outlines 
of  his  character  and  the  essential  elements  of  his  soul. 
Let  me  say  to  you  that  it  is  a  truth,  which  it  is  well 
for  us  duly  and  deeply  to  consider,  that  the  most 
priceless  possessions  of  a  city  or  a  State  are  the  char- 
acter and  the  qualities  in  the  lives  of  those  who  have 
lived  in  it,  which  remain  in  it  as  imperishable  lega- 
cies, as  indestructible  and  unceasing  influences  for  all 
time  to  come.  What  would  be  our  loss,  how  much 
that  is  worthy  and  noble  would  be  gone,  if  you  take 
out  of  our  life,  out  of  our  history  and  our  knowledge, 
the  life,  the  service,  the  ideals,  and  the  spirit  of 
Washington!  How  the  levels  of  our  ideals  would 
be  lowered,  how  the  richness  of  our  life  would  be 
made  poor  and  meagre  if  that  should  come  to  pass! 
How  much  of  the  value  of  things  that  make  life 
precious  and  make  our  history  dear  to  us  would  van- 
ish utterly  if  we  take  from  it  not  merely  the  service 
but  the  spirit  and  the  qualities  of  Robert  E.  Lee! 
How  large  would  be  the  void,  how  different  would 
seem  to  us  the  history,  the  traditions,  and  the  glories 
of  England,  if,  by  any  chance,  there  could  be  with- 

r.49] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

drawn  from  it  the  lives  and  ideals  and  principles  of 
Hampden  and  Milton!  And  so,  in  our  communities, 
let  us  realize  that  the  priceless  possessions,  the  best 
and  richest  things,  are  not  to  be  measured  in  mere 
values  and  standards  of  the  market,  but  in  the  lives 
of  our  citizens.  In  the  nobility  of  their  best  and  high- 
est, in  the  ideals  of  their  worthiest  and  noblest,  in  the 
influences  of  their  wisest  and  truest  men,  you  have 
the  things  that  shall  prove  most  valuable  and  most 
indestructible  in  the  life  and  continuance  of  the  city. 
I  am  impressed  with  another  thing  in  connection 
with  the  benefactions  of  Mr.  Rosenberg,  and  that  is 
that  he  was,  I  do  utterly  believe,  a  man  who,  of  all 
men,  would  be  least  concerned  with  monuments  and 
memorials  that  should  in  some  ostentatious  fashion 
preserve  his  name  and  keep  it  from  being  forgotten. 
And  yet,  while  I  believe  this  from  the  judgment  I  get 
of  him,  from  what  he  did  and  the  provisions  he  made, 
it  is  curiously  true  that  he  has  done  those  things 
which  most  assuredly  will  defy  the  passing  years  and, 
so  far  as  human  provision  can  accomplish  it,  secure 
to  him  an  immortality  among  men.  Who  can  meas- 
ure how  many  shall  be  quickened  by  the  inspiration 
of  the  books  in  this  Library,  and  shall  seek  to  walk 
in  better  ways  and  be  guided  by  a  nobler  wisdom  and 
truer  humanity?  Who  will  be  able  to  say,  during  all 
the  years,  how  many  noble  youths  or  young  women, 
aspiring,  shall  here  find  guidance,  and  be  thus  the 
source  of  well-doing  and  of  inspiration  among  their 
fellows?  He  has  seized  hold  of  the  most  indestruc- 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS 

tible  influence  that  exists  among  men,  and  its  widen- 
ing circles  and  its  far-reaching  continuance  may  not 
be  measured.  And  do  not  forget,  either,  that  in  the 
provisions  that  he  has  made,  he  has  accomplished  far- 
reaching  results  to  preserve  his  memory,  not  merely 
because  the  institutions  that  he  endowed  are  existing, 
but  because  of  the  spirit  that  caused  their  endow- 
ment. It  will  not  be  forgotten,  even  though  this  city 
in  her  growth  shall  achieve  the  importance  that  her 
situation  and  the  enterprise  of  her  citizens  justify  you 
in  hoping  for  her  and  which  you  desire  for  her,  even 
though  it  shall  become  a  market  notable  among  the 
great  cities  of  the  world,  crowded  with  commerce 
and  exchanges.  There  will  be  those  who  will  remem- 
ber that  here  lived  Henry  Rosenberg,  living  the  plain 
life  of  an  ordinary  man,  apparently,  but  that  in  him 
was  the  spirit  that  remembered  the  dumb  animals  and 
would  protect  and  render  life  easier  for  them.  It 
will  not  be  forgotten  that  here  was  a  man  who  suc- 
cessfully sought  wealth  and  fortune,  but  in  whose 
inner  soul  was  the  recognition  of  the  value  of  books 
and  the  knowledge  that  they  are  the  world's  real  uni- 
versities. And  men,  under  whatever  conditions  the 
future  shall  present,  here  and  there  and  in  different 
places,  will  recall  the  different  qualities  that  he  has 
illustrated,  and  it  will  touch  and  mold  and  fashion 
them.  And  so  the  life  of  the  man  and  the  character 
of  the  man  will  be  living  and  continuing,  an  inde- 
structible influence  for  the  elevation  and  the  better- 
ment of  this  community,  and  through  this  community 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

of  all  other  communities,  and  the  circle  of  his  influ- 
ence shall  widen  and  deepen  and  be  enduring. 

I  desire,  if  I  can,  to  illustrate  that  truth  somewhat 
more  fully.  And  if  I  may  make  so  bold,  I  do  so  with 
the  endeavor  to  state  briefly  one  of  Hawthorne's 
stories  with  which  most  of  you,  doubtless,  are  fa- 
miliar,— the  story  of  "The  Great  Stone  Face."  All 
of  you  recall  how,  in  a  little  quiet,  peaceful  valley 
that  lay  between  high  mountains,  a  young  boy  was 
born ;  that  in  that  valley  there  was  a  tradition  in  con- 
nection with  a  great  mountain  that  sometimes  took  on 
the  outlines  of  a  human  countenance,  and  under 
favorable  aspects  showed  lineaments  of  grandeur  and 
of  majesty,  and  at  other  times  showed  a  benignity  and 
a  placidity,  and  at  others  seemed  to  illustrate  an  ele- 
vated strength  and  wisdom.  It  was,  of  course,  only 
a  fancy;  but  in  connection  with  it  there  was  a  tradi- 
tion that  the  greatest  individual  whom  the  valley 
would  produce  would  come  back  at  some  time,  and 
that  he  would  have  a  resemblance  to  the  outlines  of 
the  Great  Stone  Face.  And  the  boy,  who  was  familiar 
with  the  tradition  and  believed  it,  wondered  if  it 
would  be  his  opportunity  to  see  the  valley's  greatest 
individual  who  should  bear  this  resemblance  to  the 
Great  Stone  Face  with  which  he  was  familiar,  and 
eagerly  he  waited  the  time.  And  presently  a  great 
merchant  who  had  gone  to  the  cities  returned  with 
the  reputation  of  enormous  wealth,  and  some  said 
that  here  would  be  the  individual  who  should  look 
like  the  Great  Stone  Face.  But  when  he  came  there 

[52] 


ROSENBERG  DAY  ADDRESS 

was  universal  disappointment.  And  then  a  great  sol- 
dier came  back  who  had  achieved  reputation  in  the 
wars  and  become  famous,  and  then  a  rumor  went 
round  that  here  would  be  the  individual  told  of  in 
tradition.  Again  it  was  plain  that  mean  and  little  am- 
bitions had  guided  him,  and  there  was  disappoint- 
ment; and  the  youth  felt  it  also.  And  then  a  famous 
statesman  who  had  been  born  in  the  valley  returned, 
famous  for  his  wisdom  in  many  ways,  famous  for  his 
eloquence ;  and  men  said  that  surely  this  would  be  the 
image  of  the  Great  Stone  Face.  And  when  he  came 
the  boy  and  others  saw  in  his  countenance  the  lines 
that  indicated  that  selfishness  had  at  times  controlled 
him,  and  that  not  always  had  he  been  true  to  himself 
and  his  higher  nature.  Then  came  a  poet,  of  glorious 
talents  and  power  to  make  men  see  deeply  hidden 
truths;  but  the  poet,  too,  had  fallen  below  his  best 
estate.  And  always  the  youth,  in  contemplation,  pon- 
dered the  lines  of  benignity  and  grandeur  and  dwelt 
more  and  more  upon  the  qualities  of  the  face  that  had 
become  idealized  before  him.  And  in  the  course  of 
his  life  he  had  come  to  talk  to  his  neighbors  and  to 
advise  them  in  simple  fashion;  and  reflection  had 
given  him  wisdom,  and  deep  love  for  his  kind  had 
given  him  eloquence,  and  honest  living  and  pure 
thought  had  given  him  nobility;  and  influence  flowed 
from  his  life  and  from  his  wisdom  until  middle  age 
came.  Then  it  was  his  habit  to  assemble  his  neigh- 
bors and  counsel  and  talk  with  them  of  those  things 
that  elevated  them  most  and  bettered  them,  and  he 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

talked  with  a  deep  wisdom  and  a  moving  eloquence. 
And  on  an  occasion  when  he  did  as  was  his  wont,  and 
his  face  was  lit  with  high  and  noble  thought,  the  poet 
was  present;  and  the  poet,  having  the  keener  insight 
and  the  surer  vision,  when  the  sun  lit  up  the  mountain 
and  brought  out  in  bold  relief  the  outlines  of  the 
Great  Stone  Face  and  its  glory,  perceived  the  truth 
and  called  out  to  his  neighbors,  "My  friends,  Ernest 
is  our  greatest,  for  do  you  not  see  his  resemblance  to 
the  Great  Stone  Face?"  And  all  men  saw  it. 

Here  in  your  physical  levels  no  mountains  lift  their 
summits  into  the  skies;  but  in  the  depths  of  your 
spiritual  life  there  are  lifted  the  outlines  and  linea- 
ments of  a  great  character,  of  a  spirit  of  surpassing 
nobility,  in  the  life  and  in  the  deeds — more  moving 
than  eloquence — of  Henry  Rosenberg.  And  it  is  my 
hope,  as  it  is  my  belief,  that  in  the  contemplation  of 
the  lineaments  of  his  character  and  the  outlines  of  his 
elevated  spirit  and  his  noble  conception  of  duty,  men 
through  succeeding  generations  shall  themselves 
come  to  take  on  something  of  those  outlines  and 
something  of  those  elements  of  his  nature  and  char- 
acter, because  they  shall  have  come,  through  long 
observation  and  contemplation,  unconsciously  to  have 
absorbed  those  qualities  which  were  his. 


"OUR  BENEFACTOR" 

Erected'by  voluntary  subscriptions  under  the  auspices  of  a 
committee  of  citizens 


PLATE  No.  14 


THE  STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

ON  March  6,  1906,  there  was  unveiled  with  ap- 
propriate ceremonies  before  the  entrance  to 
the  Rosenberg  Library  a  bronze  statue  of  Henry 
Rosenberg,  somewhat  more  than  life  size,  the  work 
of  the  sculptor  Louis  Amateis,  of  Washington,  D.  C., 
and  a  gift  of  the  people  of  Galveston.  Several  thou- 
sand people  assembled  for  the  occasion  and  a  number 
of  business  houses  closed  their  doors  during  the  exer- 
cises. 

The  idea  of  a  statue  seems  first  to  have  been  ex- 
pressed by  Mr.  Arthur  B.  Homer  in  a  letter  to  the 
Galveston  News  of  November  9,  1895,  in  which  he 
offered  to  give  $100  for  this  purpose.  The  movement 
to  secure  funds  to  erect  a  statue  of  the  city's  benefac- 
tor was  begun  by  the  Sidney  Sherman  Chapter  of  the 
Daughters  of  the  Republic  of  Texas  in  December, 
1897.  The  original  idea  of  the  Chapter  was  that  the 
statue  should  be  executed  in  marble  and  be  placed  in 
the  Library.  It  was  later  determined  that  it  should 
be  of  bronze,  and  the  finished  statue  was  finally 
placed  in  front  of  the  Library.  After  a  beginning 
had  been  made  toward  collecting  funds,  the  work  was 
actively  taken  over  by  a  committee  of  citizens  organ- 
ized on  April  25,  1900,  with  the  following  members : 
Charles  Fowler,  R.  G.  Lowe,  Clarence  Ousley,  John 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

W.  Hopkins,  T.  W.  Dee,  M.  E.  Kleberg,  B.  Adoue, 
J.  P.  Alvey,  John  Sealy,  Mrs.  J.  C.  League,  Mrs. 
H.  A.  Landes,  and  Mrs.  Cornelia  Branch  Stone. 
Judge  Kleberg  was  elected  chairman  of  the  commit- 
tee; Mrs.  Stone,  secretary;  and  John  Sealy,  treasurer. 
This  organization  carried  the  work  to  completion. 


PROGRAM 

UNVEILING  CEREMONIES  OF  THE  STATUE  OF  HENRY 

ROSENBERG,  GALVESTON,  MARCH  6,  1906, 

FOUR  O'CLOCK  P.M. 


SELECTION— National  Airs     ....  Military  Band 

(Con way  R.  Shaw,  Director) 

INVOCATION Dr.  J.  K.  Black 

CHORUS— Texas  Flag  Song 

Children  of  the  Rosenberg  School 

ADDRESS Judge  Robert  G.  Street 

UNVEILING  STATUE    ....     Miss  Nellie  Macgill 

Music Military  Band 

INTRODUCTION  OF  L.  AMATEIS 


,-Mr.  Clay  Stone  Briggs 
(Sculptor  of  Rosenberg  Statue) 

CHORUS Children  of  Alamo  School 

Music Military  Band 

BENEDICTION Dr.  J.  K.  Black 

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ADDRESS  AT  THE  UNVEILING  OF  THE 
STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

BY  HON.  ROBERT  G.  STREET 

Men,  Women,  and  Children  of  Galveston: 

YOU  have  come  together  to  take  part  in  unveiling 
the  statue  of  Henry  Rosenberg,  presented  by 
the  people  of  this  city  as  a  token  of  their  loving  grati- 
tude for  the  wise  benevolence  with  which  he  has  be- 
stowed his  fortune  to  supply  the  municipal  wants  of 
our  city,  humanitarian,  educational,  aesthetic,   and 
patriotic,  needs  that  had  otherwise  gone  unsupplied 
or  would  have  been  supplied  only  after  the  lapse  of 
generations. 
He 

.  .   .  who  in  the  love  of  Nature  holds 
Communion  with  her  visible  forms, 

who  in  the  quiet  hours  of  the  night  gazes  upon  the 
starry  firmament,  who  with  attentive  ear  hears  the 
whisper  of  the  forest,  the  carol  of  the  birds  in  the  air, 
the  murmur  of  the  sea  upon  our  shore,  such  an  one 
irresistibly  turns  his  gaze  inward  and  meditates  upon 
the  yet  greater  mysteries  of  life,  of  death  and  immor- 
tality. Thus  are  we  led  to  look  from  nature  up  to 
nature's  God;  and  so  it  is  in  the  lives  of  great  men 
and  of  good  and  wise  men,  when  we  look  at  their 

[$73 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

acts,  the  signal  acts  of  their  career,  of  their  lives,  or 
the  presentment  of  those  acts,  we  instinctively  inquire, 
What  is  the  history  of  this  man?  What  his  charac- 
ter? What  the  motives  and  purposes  of  his  life? 

I  am  not  unaware  that  there  is  abroad  in  the  land 
a  spirit  of  skepticism  called  "materialism";  and  I 
would  not  defame  this  audience  nor  dishonor  myself 
by  supposing  there  is  a  single  person  here  who  par- 
ticipates in  it;  but  this  spirit  of  materialism  is  one 
that  should  be  rebuked  and  crushed  upon  every 
proper  occasion.  I  understand  the  sentiment  that  they 
would  entertain  with  reference  to  what  I  have  said  as 
to  the  character  of  the  man  being  the  significance  of 
the  gift,  the  spiritual  forces  that  were  behind  the  gift ; 
they  have  their  language  like  the  criminal  class — 
they  would  express  their  view  by  saying  that  "money 
talks" — that  character,  that  motive,  that  purpose,  that 
lofty  aspirations,  that  spiritual  impulses,  have  naught 
to  do  with  it,  that  any  other  million  of  dollars  would 
have  worked  the  same  effect,  the  same  ends.  I  reply 
no,  no,  a  thousand  times  no!  Character  and  the 
spiritual  impulses  behind  the  act  are  the  essence  of  it, 
and  no  power  can  stay  their  influences  for  good  in 
this  community.  Only  He  who  can  bridle  the  winds 
can  do  it;  He  who  laid  His  hand  upon  the  Sea  of 
Galilee  and  bade  it  be  still  and  it  was  still;  He  who 
divided  the  waters  of  Jordan  and  bade  them  flow 
back  upon  themselves  that  His  people  might  pass 
over;  He  who  commanded  His  servant  to  say  to  the 
sun,  "Sun,  stand  thou  still  on  Hebron,"  and  "Thou 


STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

moon  in  the  valley  Ajalon" ;  and  He,  my  fellow  citi- 
zens, will  not  do  it  because  those  spiritual  influences 
are  His  own  messages  to  this  people  and  to  mankind, 
whereby  He  communicates  to  them  the  knowledge 
that  they  are  made  in  His  image  and  intimates  eter- 
nity to  man. 

When  Nature  conceives  the  purpose  of  making  a 
great  man  or  a  good  and  wise  man,  from  all  her 
realm,  physical  and  metaphysical,  she  extracts  from 
every  object,  from  every  thought,  its  essence,  its 
sweetest,  most  precious  elixir,  and  in  her  own  labora- 
tory she  cunningly  mixes  them  in  a  mold  for  the  mak- 
ing of  a  man.  But,  O  my  fellow  citizens,  he  is  not 
yet  made.  It  is  only  the  mold  of  the  man,  and  that 
Nature,  the  rigorous  mother,  exposes  him  to  the  vicis- 
situdes of  life  for  twenty  years,  it  may  be,  for  forty 
years  more  frequently,  exposes  him  to  the  winds,  to 
the  storms  of  heaven,  to  the  weaknesses,  to  the  pas- 
sions of  earth,  to  the  fires  of  hell  itself.  But  if  he 
shall  withstand  the  temptations;  if  he  shall  stand 
the  ordeal  to  which  he  has  been  subjected, — oh, 
how  generous  that  Mother  Nature  then  becomes! 
Here  is  one  of  her  choicest  specimens,  and  with  all 
her  omnipotent  power,  by  a  concatenation  of  events 
in  the  moral  and  physical  world,  she  brings  the  man 
and  the  hour  together.  Such  a  scene  was  described 
by  Thomas  M.  Jack  when,  speaking  of  Albert  Sidney 
Johnston  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  he  said:  "He  was 
like  the  genius  of  battle  and  of  victory  as  he  rode,  lit 
up  and  glowing,  down  the  line  of  his  army,  a  match- 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

less  example  of  a  great  man  on  a  great  occasion,  ris- 
ing steadily  and  loftily  to  all  the  duties  of  that  day, 
when  it  seemed  that  the  fate  of  his  army  and  the  cause 
of  his  country  hung  upon  his  sword.  We  have  all, 
my  fellow  citizens,  every  one  of  us  here,  an  acquain- 
tance with  a  scene  and  an  act  in  our  own  day  of  equal 
significance, — upon  the  first  of  May,  1898,  upon  a  far 
distant  sea,  with  the  first  glimmering  of  dawn  upon 
the  land  of  the  early  morning  light,  when  there  came 
a  still,  quiet  but  thrilling  voice  from  the  deck  of  the 
American  flagship,  when  Dewey  said:  "You  may  fire 
now,  Gridley,  when  you  are  ready." 

And  so  it  is,  my  fellow  citizens,  through  twenty 
years,  aye,  forty  years,  when  these  threads  of  life  have 
been  spun,  that  all  in  a  moment  they  are  gathered 
together  in  a  strand  that  makes  a  cable  strong  as  steel. 

And  so  it  was,  my  fellow  citizens,  with  him  to 
whose  memory  we  are  here  to  express  our  gratitude 
to-day;  when,  having  from  earth  struggled  up  the 
rugged  ascent  of  fortune,  and  by  the  heroic  and  spir- 
itual efforts  of  his  character,  by  his  excellent  fore- 
sight and  judgment,  acquired  the  good  things  of  this 
life,  then,  in  the  evening  of  his  life,  at  the  close  of  the 
day,  in  the  retirement  of  his  home,  in  his  accustomed 
arm-chair,  he  seated  himself  with  pencil  and  paper 
in  hand  to  meditate  how  he  might  best  dispose  of  the 
goods  with  which  God  had  blessed  him  for  the  bene- 
fit of  his  fellow  man.  O  sublime  spectacle — sublime 
spectacle  passing  description!  Here  the  arts  of 
Poetry  and  Oratory  stand  dumb  and  abashed  in  the 


STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

presence  of  the  plastic  art  of  Sculpture.  What  they 
dare  not  attempt  to  describe  she  has,  as  with  one 
stroke,  at  one  glance,  disclosed  to  the  hearts  and  to 
the  minds  of  men. 

I  will  not  seek  to  enumerate  the  different  gifts 
made  by  Mr.  Rosenberg  to  the  city  of  Galveston,  the 
impulses  in  which  they  originated,  the  purposes  that 
they  were  intended  to  subserve;  nor  will  I  undertake 
to  follow  the  story  of  his  life.  These , things  have 
been  done ;  they  have  been  done  better  than  I  could 
hope  to  do  them.  They  were  done  by  the  President 
of  the  Rosenberg  Library  Association  on  the  day  of 
the  dedication  of  this  building — done  in  a  masterly 
manner.  But  as  this,  less  important,  is  an  unwritten 
address,  that  was  also  unwritten.  And  now  before  the 
time  is  past  I  call  upon  Major  Mott,  as  the  President 
of  that  Association,  as  the  nearest  friend  of  Henry 
Rosenberg  now  living,  perhaps, — I  call  upon  him  in 
the  public  capacity  in  which  I  speak  to-day,  to  com- 
mit that  address  to  writing,  that  it  may  be  printed 
and  preserved  among  the  archives  of  the  Rosenberg 
Library  for  the  stimulation  and  encouragement  of 
the  youths  of  this  land  for  all  time. 

I  said  I  should  not  attempt  to  enumerate  Mr. 
Rosenberg's  gifts  to  the  city,  to  tell  you  in  detail  of 
the  features  of  his  character  that  so  command  our 
admiration.  I  will,  however,  briefly  endeavor  to 
classify  under  three  heads  some  of  those  objects.  And 
first,  as  to  education.  It  was  Mr.  Rosenberg's  privi- 
lege while  yet  alive  to  have  built  the  Rosenberg 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

School.  It  was  his  delight  to  witness  its  construction 
as  it  progressed.  It  was  his  happiness  to  see  the  smil- 
ing faces  of  the  children  who  were  housed  there,  pur- 
suing the  course  of  public  education  in  this  city,— 
one  of  the  greatest  happinesses  of  his  life;  and  it  was 
to  the  Rosenberg  School,  to  the  assembly  hall  of  that 
building,  that  when  he  died  his  remains  were  borne, 
and  there  thousands  of  school  children  on  that  day,  in 
the  hours  devoted  to  that  purpose,  took  their  last  view 
of  their  friend  Henry  Rosenberg.  And  now,  on  this 
day  on  which  I  speak,  in  but  a  few  moments  they  will 
have  the  happiness,  they  will  have  the  stimulation 
and  encouragement,  on  this  and  on  all  future  days,  of 
viewing  his  presentment  by  the  art  of  the  sculptor. 

Mr.  Rosenberg  thoroughly  understood  and  appre- 
ciated the  value  of  free  public  education  as  essential 
to  the  maintenance  of  free  government,  and  it  was 
with  this  view,  and  urged  by  thoughts  of  this  charac- 
ter, he  made  that  donation,  that  it  gave  him  the  plea- 
sure that  it  did.  And  let  me  say  to  these  children  who 
are  gathered  here,  I  ask  your  attention  one  moment; 
you  enjoy  to-day  in  that  school  and  the  other  public 
schools  of  this  city  privileges  that  neither  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg enjoyed  nor  the  speaker  before  you, — privileges 
of  education  that  could  not  in  his  day  or  in  my  day 
have  been  purchased  by  money  at  all,  because  of  the 
improved  methods  of  instruction.  And  what  is  the 
significance  of  all  this?  We  have  heard  much  talk 
of  a  political  character  about  all  men  being  born  free 
and  equal.  All  that  the  American  citizen  wants  is 


STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

freedom  of  opportunity,  and  that  is  what  public 
school  education  in  this  land  gives  to  free  men. 

Come,  my  fellow  citizens,  a  few  blocks  south  of 
this  and  let  us  stand  for  a  moment  at  the  foot  of  the 
statue  of  the  Heroes  of  the  Republic.  I  passed  that 
statue  or  near  it  some  days  ago,  and  I  saw  a  gentleman 
who  did  not  see  me,  who  was  accustomed  to  pass  it, 
and  he  looked,  as  though  half  ashamed  of  what  he 
did,  to  see  whether  any  one  was  watching  him, — he 
lifted  his  eyes  to  its  shaft,  raised  his  hat  and  bowed  in 
reverence,  and  passed  on.  So  in  countless  instances 
these  objects  of  civic  art  with  which  our  city  is  now 
being  adorned,  the  two  most  conspicuous  being  the 
statue  to  the  Heroes  of  the  Republic  and  the  one 
around  which  we  are  gathered,  will  at  the  same  time 
demand  and  receive  from  those  who  pass  by,  even 
though  they  halt  not,  inspiration  and  reverence. 
There  we  see  the  majestic  figure  of  Victory  crowning 
this  community  with  the  arts  of  peace.  There  we  see 
the  allegorical  figures  of  Peace  and  of  War.  There 
we  see  the  bas-reliefs  presenting  the  massacre  of 
Goliad,  the  fall  of  the  Alamo,  the  battle  of  San  Ja- 
cinto,  and  the  capture  of  Santa  Anna.  And  there  are 
inscribed  on  tablets  the  names  of  the  heroes  of  Texas. 

O  my  friends,  art  for  art's  sake  is  artless  and  soon 
ceases  to  be  art  at  all.  Art  for  the  market-place  is 
commerce.  But  art  for  the  people's  service,  for  the 
diffusion  of  joy  in  a  wide-spread  commonalty,  is  an 
inherent,  vital,  and  permanent  element  in  human  life. 

When  you  and  I  have  been  consigned  to  the  house 

£63] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

appointed  for  all  living,  may  love  of  country  and 
pride  of  country  glow  with  equal  fervor  in  the  breasts 
of  those  to  whom  our  names  and  our  blood  have  de- 
scended! When  decrepit  age  shall  lean  against  the 
base  of  this  monument,  and  troops  of  ingenuous 
youths  shall  circle  around,  and  one  to  the  other  shall 
tell  the  story  of  its  objects  and  its  purposes,  and  the 
glorious  events  with  which  it  is  connected,  then  shall 
arise  from  every  youthful  breast,  "Thank  God,  I,  too, 
am  an  American  and  a  Texan!" 

And  finally  I  come  to  speak  a  few  words  with  re- 
gard to  the  building  at  whose  portals  we  now  stand, 
as  it  was  also  the  final  bequest,  the  residuary  bequest, 
in  Mr.  Rosenberg's  will.  Here  this  institution  stands 
for  self-culture,  in  all  of  its  varied  departments  of 
science,  of  philosophy,  of  literature,  of  art,  and  of 
mechanics,  all  the  various  avenues  of  knowledge ;  and 
here,  with  the  trained  and  intelligent  assistance  of  the 
executive  management  of  the  institution,  all  find 
ready  guide  to  such  information  as  they  desire,  from 
the  youngest  to  the  oldest,  from  the  merest  child  to 
the  scholar  and  the  student.  From  out  the  portals  of 
this  institution  in  the  days  to  come, — aye,  in  the  ages 
to  come, — there  will  flow  into  this  community  en- 
nobling, uplifting  spiritual  influences  that  will  make 
better  citizens  of  these  people,  that  will  make  happier 
homes. 

What  matters  it  where  the  theatre  of  action  is? 
What  matters  it  whether  it  be  conspicuous  or  modest 
and  obscure?  If  a  man  but  does  well  his  part  in  this 

£64] 


STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

world,  if  his  mind  is  but  to  him  the  kingdom  which 
knowledge  may  make  it,  then,  and  then  only,  is  he 
free  and  independent.  I  said  but  a  few  moments  since 
that  this  spiritual  influence  would  go  on  through- 
out all  time  for  our  amelioration  and  for  our  enlight- 
enment. I  will  not  address  any  further  remarks 
to  materialists,  whom  I  do  not  believe  to  be  pres- 
ent; but  there  are  others, — others  who  are  known  by 
the  saying  that  they  believe  only  in  the  prophecies 
that  have  been  fulfilled.  I  believe  that  they  are  apos- 
trophized by  the  Saviour  as  "O  ye  of  little  faith." 
Perhaps,  if  I  mistake  not,  they  are  called  the  Laodi- 
ceans.  And  they  may  say  that  what  I  have  said  about 
the  spiritual  influences  to  flow  from  Mr.  Rosenberg's 
gift  because  of  his  character  behind  them,  because  of 
the  noble  purpose  of  his  life,  are  unfulfilled  prophe- 
cies. These  acts  of  Mr.  Rosenberg,  the  making  of  these 
donations  to  the  city  of  Galveston,  the  giving  to  you 
his  large  fortune,  were  but  a  culmination  of  his  life. 
And  to  those  who  doubt  and  are  skeptical  and  say 
these  spiritual  influences  are  not  proved  in  facts,  I 
reply,  I  will  give  you  substantial  facts. 

Whence  this  gathering  here  to-day?  This  is  a  solid 
fact.  The  business  houses  of  this  town  are  closed,  as 
they  have  very  rarely  been  before,  that  everybody 
may  have  an  opportunity  of  being  present;  and  it 
seems  to  me  that  you  are  all  here.  And  why?  Was 
it  because  a  million  of  dollars  had  been  bestowed  on 
the  city  of  Galveston  for  educational  and  other  pur- 
poses? Has  the  character  of  Henry  Rosenberg,  who 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

acquired  the  fortune;  have  the  purposes  he  had  in 
view,  have  the  impulses  which  actuated  him  through- 
out his  life  and  in  these  bequests,  have  they  nothing 
to  do  with  it?  Surely  they  have.  Is  this  practical? 
Is  this  the  effect  of  spiritual  influences  to  which  I 
have  referred? 

Let  us  progress  another  step.  Wills  bequeathing 
large  amounts  for  eleemosynary  purposes  in  this 
country  are  more  frequently  broken  in  the  courts  than 
otherwise.  Why  was  it  not  so  here?  The  spiritual 
influences  that  animated  the  man,  that  energized  and 
characterized  his  gifts,  animated  likewise,  through 
sympathy,  the  one  nearest  and  dearest  to  him.  And  all 
was  done  to  promote  his  intentions,  to  further  them. 

Wills  in  which  such  donations  are  made  are  oft- 
times  defeated  in  the  courts  of  this  country  because  of 
the  unskilfulness  with  which  they  are  written.  But 
no  invalid  technical  words  were  used  by  the  hand 
that  drew  this  will,  but  the  plain,  earnest,  and  signifi- 
cant terms  used  were  those  best  adapted  to  make  the 
will  itself  perfect.  Is  this  all?  How  often  have  you 
seen  fortunes  that  have  been  thus  bequeathed  squan- 
dered by  corrupt  executors  and  trustees.  This  for- 
tune was  left  in  the  hands  of  two  gentlemen  of  modest 
means.  I  venture  to  say  that  this  million  of  dol- 
lars, consisting  of  stocks  and  bonds,  lands  and  other 
securities,  was  left,  without  security,  in  the  hands  of 
two  men,  neither  of  whom  had  himself  a  fortune  of 
$50,000.  Yet  every  dollar  of  it  has  reached  its  right- 
ful destination,  and  now,  in  the  fullness  of  God's  own 

C66] 


STATUE  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

time,  is  working  for  the  ennoblement  and  advance- 
ment of  this  people.  Tell  me  that  spiritual  influences 
are  not  the  strongest  in  this  life! 

Mr.  Rosenberg  did  not  make  it  a  crime  for  a  man 
to  die  rich  in  Galveston,  but  he  did  make  it  an  offense 
against  civic  virtue  for  a  man  to  die  rich  in  Galveston 
without  doing  something  noble  for  his  city. 

In  a  lecture  delivered  in  this  building,  where 
everything  is  free,  by  a  cultured  gentleman,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  faculty  of  the  University  of  Texas,  a  few 
nights  since,  on  the  Acropolis  of  Athens,  many  of  you 
heard,  as  I  had  the  pleasure  of  doing,  his  description 
of  the  Parthenon  erected  on  that  elevation  overlook- 
ing the  city — how  it  was  constructed  of  the  most 
precious  and  priceless  material,  brought  from  all 
parts  of  the  then  known  world ;  how  skilful  architects 
and  sculptors  wrought  their  handiwork  upon  it,  mak- 
ing it  the  noblest  temple  ever  erected  by  man — unless 
it  be  that  of  Solomon.  And  why  was  this  temple 
built?  To  house  one  figure  only — that  of  Athena,  the 
goddess  of  the  city.  That  temple,  renewed  more  or 
less  in  the  course  of  the  passage  of  nearly  2500  years, 
still  stands  with  but  little  of  the  original  material  in 
it.  But  there  is  not  a  vestige  to  be  found,  there  or 
elsewhere,  of  the  statue  of  Athena,  hewn,  sculptured 
by  the  matchless  hand  of  Phidias  himself.  But  the 
people  of  Galveston  have  enthroned  in  a  temple  of 
their  own,  in  a  Parthenon  which  each  one  has  con- 
structed for  himself,  in  the  temple  of  his  heart  of 
hearts,  the  image  of  Henry  Rosenberg. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

I  think,  if  I  recollect  rightly,  that  it  is  in  that  splen- 
did essay  of  Plutarch  on  the  life  of  Pericles,  when 
urging  us  all  to  look  upon  those  objects  and  to  con- 
sider those  thoughts  that  make  for  our  improvement, 
our  ennoblement  and  advancement,  in  all  that  is 
good,  in  all  that  is  worthy,  rather  than  to  waste  our 
time  and  our  efforts  and  spend  our  energies  upon 
things  that  are  trivial,  superficial  and  quickly  pass 
away,  he  adds  that  it  is  the  singular  office  of  virtue 
from  out  all  the  world,  and  of  objects  that  remind  us 
of  virtuous  acts,  to  produce  in  the  heart  of  man  the 
desire  of  imitation.  In  his  own  words,  "the  desire  of 
doing  the  like." 

Citizens  of  Galveston,  on  behalf  of  the  committee 
who  have  honored  me  with  the  place  I  now  occupy, 
speaking  in  your  name  and  by  your  authority,  asking 
the  blessing  of  God  to  consecrate  the  act,  I  now 
crown  Henry  Rosenberg,  to  be  known  in  this  com- 
munity from  this  day  by  no  other  name  than  "Our 
Benefactor." 


CHRONOLOGY 

1824 

JUNE  22.  Henry  Rosenberg  born  in  Bilten,  Canton 
Glarus,  Switzerland,  son  of  Rudolf  and  Waldburg 
Rosenberg. 

1843 

FEBRUARY  6.  Landed  at  New  Orleans  on  his  way  to 
Galveston,  where  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered 
the  employ  of  John  Hessly,  dry-goods  merchant, 
at  a  salary  of  $8  a  month,  at  what  is  now  2119  Mar- 
ket Street.  Had  served  an  apprenticeship  as  fabric 
printer  at  his  home  in  Switzerland  and  had  been 
employed  by  John  Hessly's  father  in  his  mercantile 
business  at  Glarus. 

1846 

BOUGHT  the  dry-goods  business  from  John  Hessly 
and  continued  it.  Sent  to  Switzerland  for  his 
nephews,  Joseph  Blum  and  Daniel  Steussy,  to  help 
him  in  his  store,  and  later  loaned  them  capital  to 
start  in  business  at  414  22d  Street,  where  Keenan's 
store  now  is. 

1848 

MAY  4.  Bought  from  John  Hessly  the  two  lots  at 
2113  to  2119  Market  Street  for  $5000. 

C69] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

1851 

JUNE  ii.  Was  married  to  Miss  Letitia  Cooper,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  in  Galveston,  by  Rev.  Homer  S. 
Thrall,  D.D.  Miss  Cooper  had  her  millinery 
store  next  to  Mr.  Rosenberg's  store  on  the  east. 
They  lived  in  a  two-story  wood  building  at  2119 
Market  Street  until  Mr.  Rosenberg's  residence  was 
completed  in  1860.  This  house  was  afterward 
moved  to  1928  Avenue  F;  it  now  belongs  to  the 
estate  of  J.  C.  League. 

1858-1859 

ERECTED  a  large  three-story,  iron-front,  brick  build- 
ing on  the  southwest  corner  of  Market  and  22d 
Streets.  Enlarged  it  later.  Had  the  most  exten- 
sive retail  dry-goods  store  in  Texas.  Continued 
this  business  until  1875. 

1860 

JANUARY  i.  Moved  into  his  new  residence  just  com- 
pleted at  the  northwest  corner  of  Market  and  i3th 
Streets. 

This  year,  or  a  little  later,  erected  the  two-story 
brick  building  at  21 13  to  21 19  Market  Street,  now 
known  as  the  Freeman  building. 

1866 
APRIL  13.    Appointed  Vice-Consul  of  Switzerland. 

[703 


CHRONOLOGY 

1868 

ELECTED  a  Director  of  the  First  National  Bank. 
Continued  as  Director  for  several  years. 

1869 

SEPTEMBER  6.  Appointed  Consul  of  Switzerland. 
Continued  as  Consul  until  his  death.  Board  of 
Harbor  Improvements  (Albert  Somerville,  John 
Sealy,  Henry  Rosenberg,  J.  Frederich,  J.  M. 
Brown)  elected  him  President.  Board  was  active 
until  early  part  of  1873,  using  about  $150,000  for 
Galveston  harbor  improvements. 

1871 

JUNE  5.  One  of  twelve  men  appointed  by  Governor 
Davis  as  Aldermen  of  Galveston.  Was  Chairman 
of  Committee  on  Licenses  and  Assessments  and 
member  of  Committee  on  Finance  and  Revenue 
and  Committee  on  Markets.  President  of  Galves- 
ton Hotel  Co.,  a  corporation  whose  object  was  to 
build  a  first-class  hotel.  Began  the  building  now 
known  as  the  Tremont  Hotel,  later  selling  to  the 
contractors,  Burnett  &  Kilpatrick.  President 
Galveston  City  Railroad  Company.  Probably 
President,  or  at  least  a  Director,  for  some  years. 
Erected  a  three-story  brick  and  iron  front  building 
for  stores  and  offices  at  2309-2311  Strand. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

'873 

JUNE  19.  Became  a  Commissioner  of  Gulf,  Colo- 
rado &  Santa  Fe  Railway  Company  (chartered 
May  28). 

NOVEMBER  24.  Became  a  Director  of  Gulf,  Colo- 
rado &  Santa  Fe  Railway  Company,  and  member 
of  Executive  Committee,  November  26.  Con- 
tinued as  Director  until  the  road  was  sold  in  1886 
to  the  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railway  sys- 
tem. 

1874 

DECEMBER  21.  Elected  President  of  Gulf,  Colorado 
&  Santa  Fe  Railway  Company.  Continued  as 
President  until  December  18,  1877.  No  salary  was 
paid  the  President  while  Mr.  Rosenberg  held  the 
office.  First  fifty  miles  of  road  built  during  his 
presidency.  Organized  Galveston  Bank  and  Trust 
Co.,  Henry  Rosenberg,  President  and  Manager; 
J.  M.  Brown,  Vice-President.  This  company 
erected  the  building  at  2209  Market  Street. 


OPENED  bank  with  paid-up  capital  of  $200,000  and 
authorized  capital  of  $500,000.  Continued  until 
1882. 

1876 

APRIL.  Elected  Vestryman  of  Trinity  Episcopal 
Church.  Probably  a  Vestryman  for  some  years 


CHRONOLOGY 

before  and  after  this  time.  A  Director  of  Galves- 
ton  Wharf  Company.  Probably  a  Director  for 
several  years.  A  Director  of  Union  Marine  and 
Fire  Insurance  Company.  A  Director  of  the 
Agricultural,  Horticultural,  and  Industrial  Asso- 
ciation. Probably  a  Director  for  several  years. 


MARCH.  Eleven  leading  citizens  of  Galveston  (Mr. 
Rosenberg  included)  formed  a  syndicate  and 
bought  the  stock  and  franchises  of  the  Gulf,  Colo- 
rado &  Santa  Fe  Railway  Company  from  Galves- 
ton County  and  individuals  and  then  pushed  the 
work  of  building  the  road  with  increased  vigor 
and  success. 

1882 

MARCH  19.  Eaton  Chapel  dedicated.  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg had  contributed  about  half  the  cost. 

APRIL.  Galveston  Bank  and  Trust  Co.  business  liqui- 
dated and  Mr.  Rosenberg  became  successor. 
Bought  the  bank  building  for  $28,000. 

MAY  2.  Opened  business  as  H.  Rosenberg,  Banker. 
Sole  owner  of  the  bank  as  long  as  he  lived. 


JULY.  Became  a  Director  of  the  Galveston  Orphans' 
Home.  Continued  as  Director  until  his  death. 
Was  Vice-President  from  this  time  until  1892. 

[733 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

1885 

MARCH.  Elected  Alderman  from  Second  Ward  for 
a  term  of  two  years.  Chairman  of  Committee  of 
Finance  and  Revenue.  Member  of  Committees 
on  Fire  Department,  Water  Supply,  and  Public 
Library.  Chairman  of  Board  of  Health. 


APRIL  5.  Sent  a  letter  to  the  Board  of  School  Trus- 
tees offering  to  donate  $40,000  for  a  public  school 
building  to  be  located  on  the  west  side  of  nth 
Street,  between  Avenues  G  and  H,  a  half  block 
recently  acquired  by  the  School  Board.  Corner- 
stone of  this  building  laid  with  Masonic  ceremony 
June  30. 

JUNE  4.    Death  of  Mrs.  Letitia  Cooper  Rosenberg. 


JANUARY.  Elected  Vice-President  of  Galveston 
Wharf  Company.  Continued  as  Vice-President 
and  a  Director  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

FEBRUARY  15.  Henry  Rosenberg  Free  School  build- 
ing dedicated.  Mr.  Rosenberg  gave  personal  at- 
tention to  the  construction  and  secured  a  well-built 
edifice  costing  him  about  $75,000. 

NOVEMBER  13.  Was  married  to  Miss  Mollie  Ragan 
Macgill  of  Hagerstown,  Md.,  in  Grace  Episcopal 
Church,  Richmond,  Va.,  by  Rev.  Hartley  Car- 
michael,  D.D. 

C743 


CHRONOLOGY 

1890-1891 

VISITED  Bilten,  his  native  village  in  Switzerland, 
with  Mrs.  Rosenberg  in  the  summer  of  1890,  and 
again  in  the  summer  of  1891.  Had  the  village 
church  renovated  and  improved  at  a  cost  of  $5000. 
In  this  church  Henry  Rosenberg  was  christened  in 
1824  and  confirmed  in  1840. 

1892 

FEBRUARY.  Elected  President  of  Galveston  Or- 
phans' Home,  holding  that  office  until  his  death. 

1893 

MAY  12.  Henry  Rosenberg  died  at  his  home  in  Gal- 
veston. 

MAY  14.  Body  lay  in  state  at  Rosenberg  School 
building.  Funeral  services  held  at  Rosenberg 
School  and  at  Grace  Episcopal  Church.  Body 
placed  temporarily  in  the  vault  of  Dr.  J.  F.  Y. 
Paine  in  Cahill  Cemetery,  Galveston. 

MAY  20.  That  part  of  the  will  containing  the  public 
bequests  published  in  the  newspapers,  showing  these 
gifts  to  be  not  less  than  $600,000,  the  residuary 
legacy  being  for  a  free  public  library.  Major  A.  J. 
Walker  and  William  J.  Frederich  named  execu- 
tors of  the  estate,  and  Colonel  M.  F.  Mott,  at- 
torney. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

MAY  30.  An  audience  of  five  or  six  thousand  people 
assembled  at  Ball  High  School  Square  to  do  honor 
to  the  memory  of  Henry  Rosenberg. 

MAY  31.  Final  interment  in  Loudon  Park  Ceme- 
tery, Baltimore,  Maryland.  Business  houses  in 
Galveston  closed  as  a  mark  of  respect. 

JULY  17.  Will  probated  and  recorded  by  the  Galves- 
ton County  Court. 

AUGUST  5.  Inventory  of  appraisers  showed  the  value 
of  the  estate  to  be  $1,107,737. 


1894 

MARCH  14.  Four  of  the  most  valuable  pieces  of  real 
estate  of  the  Rosenberg  Estate  were  sold  at  auction 
by  Penland  &  Breath  at  the  southwest  corner  of 
Strand  and  22d  Streets  for  the  executors,  as  fol- 
lows: 

1.  Three-story  brick  and  iron  front  building  at 
2201-2205  Market  Street,  once  Mr.  Rosenberg's 
dry-goods  store  (62  x  120  feet),  occupied  by  E.  D. 
Garratt  &  Co.  as  a  dry-goods  store.    Sold  to  E.  D. 
Garratt  for  $60,750. 

2.  Two-story  brick  and  iron  front  building  at 
2113-2119  Market  Street,  where  Mr.  Rosenberg 
started  in  business  (86  x  120  feet),  occupied  by  J. 
Grossmayer,  clothing,  and  Ikelheimer  &  Co.,  dry 
goods,  with  ofBces  on  the  second  floor.     Sold  to 

C76: 


CHRONOLOGY 

G.  A.  Meyer,  agent  for  Mrs.  Mary  Freeman,  for 
$76,600. 

3.  Three-story    brick    building    at    2025-2027 
Strand  (49  x  120  feet),  occupied  by  wholesale  and 
retail  stores  and  by  offices.    Sold  to  G.  A.  Meyer, 
agent  for  Mrs.  Mary  Freeman,  for  $25,000. 

4.  Three-story  brick  and  iron  front  building  at 
2309-2311  Strand  (43  x  120  feet),  occupied  by  a 
store  and  offices.    Sold  to  G.  A.  Meyer,  agent  for 
Mrs.  Mary  Freeman,  for  $18,100. 

JULY  27.    Plans  adopted  for  the  Orphans'  Home. 
JULY.    Site  purchased  for  the  Woman's  Home. 
AUGUST  29.    Site  purchased  for  the  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

OCTOBER  20.     Corner-stone  of  the  Orphans'  Home 
laid. 

DECEMBER  23.     Corner-stone  of  Grace  Episcopal 
Church  laid. 


APRIL  9.    Corner-stone  of  the  Woman's  Home  laid. 
NOVEMBER  15.    The  Orphans'  Home  dedicated. 

NOVEMBER    17.      Grace    Episcopal    Church    conse- 
crated. 

1896 
JANUARY  22.  The  Woman's  Home  formally  opened. 

MARCH  10.    Corner-stone  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  build- 
ing laid. 

[77] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

AUGUST  17.    Sites  selected  for  seventeen  drinking 
fountains. 

OCTOBER  13.    Design  for  the  Texas  Heroes'  Monu- 
ment accepted. 


DECEMBER  1  1.  Statue  of  Henry  Rosenberg  proposed 
by  Sidney  Sherman  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  Re- 
public of  Texas,  and  collection  of  contributions  to 
the  fund  begun. 

1898 

JANUARY  i.  The  Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  formally 
dedicated. 

DECEMBER  4.  Drinking  fountains  inspected  and  de- 
livered to  the  city. 

DECEMBER  14.  Death  of  William  J.  Frederich,  one 
of  the  executors. 

1900 

APRIL  21.    The  Texas  Heroes'  Monument  dedicated. 

APRIL  25.  A  Rosenberg  Statue  committee  of  citizens 
organized  with  M.  E.  Kleberg  as  chairman  to 
obtain  subscriptions  and  have  the  statue  made. 

JULY  10.  Charter  granted  by  the  State  to  the  Rosen- 
berg Library  Association.  Charter  signed  by  Ma- 
jor A.  J.  Walker,  Captain  J.  P.  Alvey,  and  I. 
Lovenberg. 

OCTOBER  17.  Board  of  Directors  of  Rosenberg  Li- 
brary organized.  Major  A.  J.  Walker  chosen 
President. 


CHRONOLOGY 

1901 

FEBRUARY.  Rosenberg  Library  Board  of  Directors 
received  from  Major  A.  J.  Walker,  Executor  of  the 
Rosenberg  Estate,  for  the  Library,  the  residue  of 
the  estate,  valued  at  $620,529.69. 

MAY  15.  Site  bought  for  Rosenberg  Library  at 
northwest  corner  of  Tremont  Street  and  Sealy 
Avenue. 

AUGUST.  Alfred  F.  Rosenheim,  of  St.  Louis,  em- 
ployed as  consulting  architect  by  the  Rosenberg 
Library  Board  of  Directors  and  a  Competition 
Program  issued  August  23. 

OCTOBER  3 1 .  Design  of  Eames  &  Young,  of  St.  Louis, 
for  Rosenberg  Library  building  selected. 

DECEMBER  30.  Goldthwaite  house  on  library  site 
sold  to  John  Focke  for  $500. 

1902 

MARCH  21.  General  contract  for  construction  of 
Rosenberg  Library  building  awarded  to  Harry 
Devlin,  of  Galveston,  for  $126,500. 

OCTOBER  18.  Corner-stone  of  Rosenberg  Library 
laid  with  Masonic  ceremony. 

1903 

JULY  24.  Frank  C.  Patten,  Librarian-elect,  arrived 
in  Galveston  to  begin  his  duties. 

1791 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

1904 

JUNE  2.  The  right  to  erect  an  addition  to  the  Cen- 
tral (Colored)  High  School  building  for  a  branch 
of  Rosenberg  Library  for  the  use  of  the  colored 
citizens  of  Galveston  was  given  to  the  Rosenberg 
Library  Association  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Galveston  Public  Schools. 

JUNE  1 8.  Called  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
held  at  the  library  building,  at  which  it  was  re- 
ported that  the  Library  was  now  ready  to  be 
opened.  Reports  were  presented  on  the  work  of 
the  Directors  and  the  expenditures  to  date  for  site, 
building,  furniture,  and  books. 

JUNE  22.  Rosenberg  Library  dedicated  at  8  P.M. 
Building  open  for  public  inspection  in  the  after- 
noon and  evening.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
annual  memorial  celebration  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's 
birthday  at  the  Library.  Such  a  celebration  had 
been  held  yearly  for  a  few  years  previous  at  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  Library  opened  the  next  morning  for 
regular  public  use. 

NOVEMBER  9.  Wednesday  Club  began  holding  its 
meetings  at  the  Rosenberg  Library.  First  club 
meeting  held  at  the  Library. 

NOVEMBER  29.  Death  of  Major  A.  J.  Walker,  Ex- 
ecutor of  the  Rosenberg  Estate  and  President  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  Rosenberg  Library. 

C80] 


CHRONOLOGY 

DECEMBER  3.  Colonel  M.  F.  Mott  elected  President 
of  the  Library  Board  of  Directors;  John  Sealy, 
Vice-President;  and  F.  L.  Lee,  a  Director. 

DECEMBER  8.  Began  an  exhibit  of  holiday  books  for 
children.  First  library  exhibit. 

1905 

JANUARY  n.  The  Colored  Branch  of  Rosenberg 
Library  opened. 

JANUARY  12.  The  City  Commission  decided  to  turn 
over  to  the  Rosenberg  Library  the  books  of  the 
Public  Library  and  to  discontinue  that  library  Feb- 
ruary 28,  1905.  Said  to  be  7505  volumes  and  a 
registration  of  5468. 

JANUARY  12.  First  annual  meeting  of  Rosenberg 
Library  Trustees  held.  Full  reports  of  Treasurer 
and  Librarian  presented. 

JANUARY  18.  Books  of  Public  Library  accepted  by 
Directors  of  Rosenberg  Library. 

FEBRUARY  15.  Moving  of  Public  Library  books  to 
Rosenberg  Library  completed.  Resulted  in  add- 
ing 3200  volumes  to  the  Library,  1500  of  which 
were  United  States  public  documents. 

MARCH  17-21.  Rosenberg  Library  Free  Lecture 
courses  opened  auspiciously  with  four  lectures  by 
Jenkin  Lloyd  Jones,  of  the  University  Extension 
Division  of  Chicago  University. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

NOVEMBER  6.  Death  of  Mayor  W.  T.  Austin,  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Directors.  Succeeded  by  W.  T. 
Armstrong. 

NOVEMBER  27.  First  meeting  of  the  Texas  Histori- 
cal Society  at  Rosenberg  Library.  The  valuable 
collection  of  books,  pamphlets,  manuscripts,  and 
other  historical  material  of  this  Society  had  al- 
ready been  deposited  in  the  Rosenberg  Library  in 
September,  1904. 

1906 

MARCH  6.  Rosenberg  statue  unveiled  in  front  of  the 
library  building. 

MAY  2.  A  fine  enlarged  photograph  of  the  Ruins  of 
the  Parthenon  donated  to  the  Library  by  the 
Wednesday  Club.  First  donation  to  the  Library 
of  a  fine  work  of  art. 

NOVEMBER  18.  Death  of  Colonel  M.  F.  Mott,  Attor- 
ney for  the  Rosenberg  Estate  and  President  of  the 
Library  Board  of  Directors. 

NOVEMBER  26.  John  Sealy  elected  President  of  the 
Board  of  Directors;  F.  L.  Lee,  Vice-President; 
and  R.  Waverley  Smith,  Director. 


1907 

MAY  25.  Bust  of  Major  A.  J.  Walker,  first  President 
of  the  Library  Board  of  Directors,  placed  in  the 
Library. 

C82] 


CHRONOLOGY 

1909 

MARCH  2.  President  Charles  W.  Eliot,  of  Harvard 
University,  visited  Galveston  and  made  an  address 
at  the  library  lecture  hall  on  Galveston's  contribu- 
tion to  good  municipal  rule,  the  commission  form 
of  government. 

MAY  i.  First  annual  celebration  of  Rosenberg  Day, 
or  Founder's  Day,  recently  established  by  the  Li- 
brary Board  of  Directors.  Made  a  school  holiday 
by  the  Galveston  School  Board.  Previous  annual 
celebrations  were  on  the  twenty-second  of  June,  the 
birthday  of  Henry  Rosenberg. 

1910 

JANUARY.  Began  the  publication  of  a  Library  Bul- 
letin of  sixteen  pages,  to  be  issued  five  times  a  year. 

NOVEMBER.  Alterations  in  basement  and  new  shelv- 
ing provided  storage  for  20,000  volumes,  in  addi- 
tion to  shelving  previously  placed  in  the  basement 
from  time  to  time  for  about  20,000  volumes. 

1912 

JANUARY  18.  Resignation  of  H.  A.  Landes,  member 
of  the  Board  of  Directors,  on  account  of  removal 
from  city.  Succeeded  by  W.  R.  A.  Rogers. 

1914 

JUNE  9.  Death  of  F.  L.  Lee,  Vice-President  of  the 
Board  of  Directors.  Succeeded  by  R.  Waverley 
Smith.  Dr.  Edward  Randall  elected  Director. 

[833 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

1915 

APRIL  i.  New  Children's  Rooms,  with  fine  new 
equipment,  opened  in  second  story. 

1916 

MAY.  Lanier  property  adjoining  the  library  site 
bought,  making  the  library  site  a  full  half  block. 

OCTOBER.  Third  and  enlarged  edition  of  Rosenberg 
Library  Handbook  issued. 

OCTOBER  11-13.  Annual  meeting  of  Texas  Library 
Association  held  in  Rosenberg  Library  lecture  hall. 

DECEMBER  21.  Death  of  Captain  J.  P.  Alvey,  Li- 
brary Treasurer.  Succeeded  by  H.  O.  Stein  as 
Director  and  as  Treasurer. 

1917 

MAY  29.  Death  of  Mrs.  Mollie  Ragan  Macgill 
Rosenberg,  widow  of  Henry  Rosenberg. 

OCTOBER  7.  Death  of  I.  Lovenberg,  Library  Secre- 
tary. Succeeded  by  Ballinger  Mills  as  Director 
and  as  Secretary. 


[84: 


BIBLIOGRAPHICAL  NOTE 

THE  facts  of  the  life  of  Henry  Rosenberg  are  con- 
tained briefly  in  the  following: 

"The  National  Cyclopaedia  of  American  Biography," 

Vol.  IX,  pp.  523-525- 
Brown's  "Indian  Wars  and  Pioneers  of  Texas,"  pp. 

I43-I47- 

Additional  matter  is  obtainable  from  the  Rosenberg 
Library's  volumes  of  press  clippings,  and  from  the 
bound  files  of  the  Galveston  News. 


PART  II 
B  E  QJJ  E  S  T  S 


GIFTS  AND  BEQUESTS  OF 

HENRY  ROSENBERG 
FOR  PUBLIC  PURPOSES 

IN  GALVESTON 

Eaton  Chapel,  about  half  of  cost 

(1882)  $10,000 

Rosenberg  School  Building  (1889)  75,000 
Galveston  Orphans'  Home,  for 

building 30,000 

Grace  Episcopal  Church,  for 

church  building 30,000 

Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the  German 

Lutheran  Church,  for  charitable 

purposes 10,000 

Letitia  Rosenberg  Woman's 

Home,  for  site  and  building  .  .  30,000 
Galveston  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  for  site  and 

building 65,000 

Monument  to  the  Memory  of  the 

Heroes  of  the  Texas  Revolution 

of  1836 50,000 

Seventeen  drinking  fountains  for 

men  and  beasts 30,000 

Residue  of  estate  bequeathed  in 

trust   to   his   executors   for   the 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

foundation  and  endowment  of  a 
free  public  library  with  free  lec- 
tures. The  library  assets  are 
now  over  $900,000,  but  at  the 
time  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's  death 
it  seemed  probable  the  amount 

would  be  about 400,000 

$730,000 


IN  HIS  NATIVE  VILLAGE,  BILTEN, 
SWITZERLAND 

The  village  church  of  Bilten,  for 

renovation  (1891) $5,000 

The  Waisenamt  (Orphanage)   of 

Bilten,  for  a  perpetual  fund  .    .     50,000 

The    Gemeinde    (Commune)    of 

Bilten,  for  a  perpetual  fund  .    .     30,000 

85,000 

$815,000 


C90] 


THE  WILL  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

IN  THE  NAME  OF  GOD,  AMEN.  I,  Henry  Rosenberg, 
of  the  County  of  Galveston  and  State  of  Texas,  being 
in  good  health  and  of  sound  and  disposing  mind  and 
memory,  do  make  and  publish  this  my  last  will  and 
testament,  hereby  revoking  all  other  wills  by  me  at 
any  time  heretofore  made. 

1.  I  appoint  A.  J.  Walker  and  William  J.  Freder- 
ich  of  the  City  and  County  of  Galveston,  Texas, 
executors  of  this  my  will,  and  direct  that  my  estate 
be  administered  and  finally  distributed  without  the 
jurisdiction  or  proceedings  of  any  court;  and  that 
no  action  be  had  in  the  county  court  or  in  any  court 
in  the  administration  of  my  estate  other  than  to  prove 
and  record  this  will  and  return  an  inventory;  and  I 
further  direct  that  no  security  shall  be  required  of 
my  said  executors  and  that  they  qualify  without  bond. 

2.  My  executors  are  hereby  vested  with  full  power 
and  authority  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of 
this  my  will,  independent  of  the  courts;  to  make  sale 
and  conveyance  of  any  or  all  portions  of  my  estate, 
real  or  personal,  except  that  which  is  hereinafter 
specifically   devised;   and   I   direct  that  they  shall 
apply  to  M.  F.  Mott,  attorney  at  law,  Galveston, 
Texas,  who  is  my  confidential  lawyer,  for  all  legal 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

advice  and  assistance  they  may  require  in  the  man- 
agement and  administration  of  my  estate.  It  is  my 
will  that  the  specific  legacies  hereinafter  mentioned 
shall  be  distributed  and  paid  by  my  executors  in  the 
order  named,  as  soon  after  my  death  as  possible;  but 
they  are  not  to  be  hurried  by  my  devisees  to  the  extent 
of  requiring  them  to  sacrifice  property  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  moneyed  legacies.  In  case  of  the  death 
or  failure  of  either  of  my  executors  to  act,  the  re- 
maining executor  shall  have  full  title,  power  and 
authority  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of  this 
will. 

3.  I  direct  that  all  my  just  debts,  expenses  of  last 
illness  and  funeral  expenses  be  paid  as  soon  after  my 
death  as  practicable.  .  .  . 

8.  I  give  to  the  benevolent  administration  Waise- 
namt,  Bilten,  Canton  Glarus,  Switzerland,  for  educa- 
tional and  charitable  purposes,  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

9.  I  give  the  Gemeinde,  Bilten,  Canton  Glarus,  in 
Switzerland,  thirty  thousand  dollars  for  educational 
and  charitable  purposes. 

10.  I  give  to  my  executor,  William  J.  Frederich, 
fifteen    thousand    dollars;    to    my    executor,    A.    J. 
Walker,  ten  thousand  dollars ;  and  to  my  friend  and 
attorney,  M.  F.  Mott,  ten  thousand  dollars;  said 
amounts  to  be  in  full  payment  to  my  said  executors 
and  attorney  for  services  to  be  rendered  in  and  about 
the  administration  of  my  estate,  and  in  lieu  of  com- 
missions and  legal  service  fees.  .  .  . 


WILL  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

14.  I  give  to  the  Island  City  Protestant  and  Israel- 
itish  Orphans'  Home  in  the  city  of  Galveston,  thirty 
thousand  dollars  to  be  used  by  the  trustees  for  build- 
ing purposes  only;  and  I  charge  my  executors  with 
the  duty  of  seeing  that  this  fund  is  properly  applied. 

15.  I  give  to  Grace  Church  Parish,  Episcopal  de- 
nomination, in  the  city  of  Galveston,  Texas,  thirty 
thousand  dollars,  to  be  used  for  building  a  church  on 
or  near  the  lots  now  occupied  by  it  for  church  pur- 
poses in  the  western  portion  of  the  city;  and  I  charge 
my  executors  with  the  duty  of  carrying  out  this 
bequest. 

16.  I  give  to  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  the  Ger- 
man Lutheran  Church,  ten  thousand  dollars  to  be 
used  by  them  for  charitable  purposes. 

17.  I  give  thirty  thousand  dollars  to  procure  and 
furnish  an  appropriate  building  for  the  Woman's 
Home,  of  Galveston,  or  by  whatever  name  it  may  be 
known  at  the  time  of  my  decease.  I  charge  my  execu- 
tors with  the  duty  of  executing  this  bequest;  and 
whenever  they  have  procured  a  suitable  building  and 
lots,  and  furnished  the  same,  they  shall  convey,  or 
cause  the  same  to  be  conveyed,  to  the  organization  by 
its  then  legal  name. 

1 8.  I  give  sixty- five  thousand  dollars  for  the  pur- 
chase (or  erection)  of  a  suitable  building  for  the  use 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of  Galves- 
ton.    The  said  sum  of  sixty-five  thousand  dollars 
shall  include  cost  of  the  ground  upon  which  the 

H93H 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

building  stands,  and  is  also  to  include  cost  of  neces- 
sary repairs  in  case  a  building  is  purchased.  My 
executors  are  charged  with  the  execution  of  this  be- 
quest. Whenever  they  have  procured  the  appro- 
priate property,  they  shall  convey,  or  cause  the  same 
to  be  conveyed,  to  the  proper  organization  or  trustees 
of  said  association. 

19.  I  give  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  erection 
of  an  appropriate  monument  in  the  city  of  Galveston 
to  the  memory  of  the  heroes  of  the  Texas  revolution 
of  1836.     The  execution  of  this  bequest  is  charged 
upon  my  executors,  who  will  adopt  plans  and  have 
the  monument  erected  under  their  immediate  super- 
vision. 

20.  I  give  thirty  thousand  dollars  for  the  erection 
of  not  less  than  ten  drinking  fountains  for  man  and 
beast  in  various  portions  of  the  city  of  Galveston, 
localities  to  be  selected  by  my  executors.     This  be- 
quest, however,  is  upon  the  proviso  that  the  city  of 
Galveston  shall  obtain  an  abundant  supply  of  good 
drinking  water  within  five  years  after  my  death. 
Failing  in  thus  obtaining  such  supply  of  good  drink- 
ing water,  then  I  direct  that,  after  the  expiration  of 
the  time  herein  limited,  one  half  of  said  thirty  thou- 
sand dollars  shall  be  given  to  the  orphan  asylum  men- 
tioned in  the  fourteenth  clause  of  this  will,  and  the 
other  half  thereof  to  the  woman's  home  mentioned 
in  the  seventeenth  clause  of  this  will. 

21.  All  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  estate  of  which 

C94: 


WILL  OF  HENRY  ROSENBERG 

I  shall  die  seized  or  possessed,  or  to  which  I  shall  be 
entitled  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  I  give  to  my  said 
executors  in  trust  for  the  purpose  following:  They 
shall  preserve  and  maintain  the  same  and  reinvest  the 
income  thereof  for  a  period  of  two  years  after  my 
death.  At  the  expiration  of  said  two  years  they  shall 
organize  and  endow  a  free  public  library  for  the  use 
of  the  people  of  Galveston,  together  with  free  lec- 
tures upon  practical,  literary,  and  scientific  subjects, 
and  such  other  incidents  to  a  great  public  library  as 
may  be  most  conducive  to  the  improvement,  instruc- 
tion, and  elevation  of  the  citizens  of  Galveston;  and 
for  this  purpose  they  shall  cause  an  association  to  be 
chartered  with  such  trustees  and  directors  as  they 
may  deem  expedient,  under  such  rules  and  regula- 
tions as  will  best  carry  out  this  devise.  In  making 
this  bequest,  I  desire  to  express  in  a  practical  form 
my  affection  for  the  city  of  my  adoption  and  for  the 
people  among  whom  I  have  lived  for  so  many  years, 
trusting  that  it  will  aid  their  intellectual  and  moral 
development,  and  be  a  source  of  pleasure  and  profit 
to  them  and  their  children  and  their  children's  chil- 
dren through  many  generations. 

22.  It  is  my  will  that  my  executors  carry  on  my 
banking  business  in  the  city  of  Galveston  for  such 
reasonable  length  of  time — not  exceeding  twelve 
months — after  my  death  as  may  enable  them  to  wind 
up  the  same  in  a  satisfactory  manner. 

C95] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
hand,  this  twenty-eighth  day  of  May,  A.D.  (1892)  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  ninety-two.  [Note. — 
Date  following  codicil  is  May  31,  1892.] 

H.  ROSENBERG. 

Signed  in  the  presence  of  the  undersigned  witnesses 
by  Henry  Rosenberg,  the  testator,  and  they,  at  his 
request  and  in  his  presence,  sign  their  names  hereto 
as  attesting  witnesses. 

E.  D.  GARRATT. 

H.  A.  EIBAND. 

Note. — Personal  bequest  clauses  of  the  will  have 
been  omitted. 


£96  ] 


WILLIAM  J.  FREDERICK 
Executor 


Major  A.  J.  WALKER 
Executor 


Colonel  M.  F.  Morr 
Attorney 


THE  ROSENBERG  ESTATE  EXECUTORS 
AND  ATTORNEY 


PLATE  No.  16 


THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  THE 
ROSENBERG  ESTATE 

IT  became  known  at  once  after  the  death  of  Mr. 
Rosenberg  on  May  12,  1893,  that  Major  A.  J.Walker 
and  William  J.  Frederich  had  been  appointed  by 
Mr.  Rosenberg  as  his  executors,  and  that  Colonel 
M.  F.  Mott,  Mr.  Rosenberg's  confidential  lawyer, 
had  been  appointed  attorney  for  the  estate.  One  week 
later  the  executors  permitted  the  publication  of  those 
clauses  of  the  will  that  contain  the  bequests  of  Henry 
Rosenberg  for  public  purposes.  Mr.  Rosenberg's 
generous  and  philanthropic  nature  was  known,  and 
it  was  believed  that,  as  he  had  no  children,  the  publi- 
cation of  his  will  would  disclose  handsome  gifts  for 
charitable  and  educational  purposes,  but  no  guesses 
had  approximated  the  noble  liberality  of  these  be- 
quests. The  broad  scope  of  the  bequests  and  the  wis- 
dom of  the  provisions  of  the  will,  as  well  as  the  very 
large  total  of  these  magnificent  gifts  to  the  public, 
caused  universal  surprise  and  moved  all  hearts  with 
increased  respect  and  admiration.  Galveston  was 
deeply  impressed ;  a  whole  city  of  people  became  one 
in  gratitude  to  a  fellow  citizen  who,  besides  bestow- 
ing large  gifts  during  his  lifetime,  had  bequeathed 
for  public  purposes  in  Galveston  alone  "not  less  than 
the  princely  sum  of  $520,000."  The  specific  bequests 

C973 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

for  public  purposes  in  Galveston  amounted  to  $245,- 
ooo,  and  in  Bilten,  Mr.  Rosenberg's  native  village  in 
Switzerland,  to  $80,000.  The  residue  of  the  estate, 
after  satisfying  other  bequests  both  private  and  pub- 
lic, was  left  to  the  executors  in  trust  for  the  founda- 
tion and  erfdowment  of  a  free  public  library  with  free 
lectures  and  "other  incidents  to  a  great  public  li- 
brary." It  then  appeared  that  the  residue  fund  for 
the  Library  would  not  be  less  than  $275,000. 

The  will  was  filed  by  the  executors  on  July  3,  1893, 
in  the  County  Court,  Sidney  S.  Hanscom,  Judge.  At 
this  time  the  Galveston  News  published  a  summary 
of  each  clause  of  the  will  including  the  personal  be- 
quests. The  will  was  probated  and  recorded  on  July 
17.  On  the  same  day  Probate  Judge  Hanscom  ap- 
pointed I.  Lovenberg,  John  Adriance,  and  L.  C. 
Woodville  appraisers.  The  appraisers  reported  a 
complete  inventory  of  the  estate  of  Henry  Rosenberg 
on  August  5,  and  it  was  approved  by  the  court  and 
ordered  recorded.  This  inventory  showed: 

Real  Estate $316,079 

Personal  Property     .       .       .         791,658 
Total $1,107,737 

by  which  it  appeared  that  Mr.  Rosenberg's  estate  was 
considerably  larger  than  it  was  generally  supposed  to 
be  up  to  the  time  of  the  publication  of  the  will. 
About  two-thirds  had  been  bequeathed  for  public 
purposes,  and  the  prospect  for  the  Library  Fund  was 
now  still  more  encouraging. 

£983 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  ESTATE 

In  accordance  with  the  twenty-second  clause  of  the 
will,  the  executors  carried  on  Mr.  Rosenberg's  bank- 
ing business  without  change  for  the  account  and  bene- 
fit of  the  estate  for  about  a  year  after  his  death,  con- 
tinuing it  under  the  name  "H.  Rosenberg,  Banker," 
as  before.  The  executors  then  transferred  the  busi- 
ness to  a  partnership  composed  of  Mrs.  Mollie  R. 
Macgill  Rosenberg,  Theodore  Ohmstede,  E.  D.  Gar- 
ratt,  and  W.  J.  Frederich,  who  continued  the  busi- 
ness under  the  name  of  "The  Rosenberg  Bank."  The 
banking  interest  was  bought  from  this  partnership  by 
C.  L.  Beissner  and  J.  E.  Beissner  in  May,  1900,  and 
continued  without  change  of  name.  The  same  per- 
sons bought  the  building  from  the  Rosenberg  Library 
Association  in  August,  1907.  This  has  been  a  bank 
building  continuously  from  the  time  it  was  built  by 
Henry  Rosenberg  and  J.  M.  Brown  in  1875.  The 
bank  changed  ownership  in  June,  1913,  and  became 
the  South  Texas  State  Bank. 

The  executors  proceeded  with  the  settlement  of  the 
estate  by  paying  the  legacies  and  executing  the  clauses 
of  the  will  in  the  order  there  named,  as  directed  by 
Mr.  Rosenberg,  the  private  bequests  to  the  widow, 
relatives,  and  friends  receiving  first  attention.  The 
bequest  for  the  Library  being  a  residuary  legacy,  the 
organization  of  that  institution  was  left  until  after 
the  erection  of  the  Orphans'  Home,  Grace  Church, 
the  Woman's  Home,  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  the  drinking 
fountains,  and  the  Heroes'  Monument.  The  Monu- 
ment to  the  Heroes  of  the  Texas  Revolution  of  1836 

[993 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

was  unveiled  with  ceremonies  of  State-wide  interest 
on  April  21,  1900,  the  sixty-fourth  anniversary  of  the 
battle  of  San  Jacinto.  There  remained  now  but  one 
of  all  the  generous  bequests  of  Galveston's  noble 
benefactor,  Henry  Rosenberg.  Under  the  wise  and 
conscientious  management  of  the  executors,  with  the 
efficient  aid  of  the  attorney,  the  noble  purposes  of 
Mr.  Rosenberg  were  being  well  fulfilled  and  the 
residuary  fund  was  increasing.  After  long  illness, 
Mr.  Frederich  died  on  December  14,  1898.  Circum- 
stances had  placed  the  burden  of  the  management 
and  settlement  of  the  estate  entirely  upon  Major 
Walker,  with  much  devoted  assistance,  however, 
from  Colonel  Mott.  None  could  have  labored  more 
faithfully  or  with  greater  singleness  of  purpose  than 
they  in  the  execution  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's  loving  de- 
signs. Much  of  the  spirit  of  the  great  philanthropist 
had  entered  into  the  hearts  of  executor  and  attorney, 
warm  personal  friends  of  Mr.  Rosenberg,  in  the  per- 
formance of  this  noble  work. 

Major  Walker  and  Colonel  Mott  were  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg's close  friends  and  advisers  for  many  years,  and 
no  doubt  they  were  well  informed  regarding  his 
philanthropic  intentions.  Major  Walker  was  often 
the  business  adviser  and  financial  agent  for  Mr. 
Rosenberg,  for  he  was  a  man  of  superior  financial 
ability  and  large  business  experience.  Colonel  Mott 
had  long  been  Mr.  Rosenberg's  legal  adviser  and 
confidential  attorney.  They  had  been  friends  for 
thirty  years.  It  was  Colonel  Mott  who  wrote  the 

C  ioo  II 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  ESTATE 

will,  and  no  one  can  tell  how  much  weight  his  coun- 
sel may  have  had  in  the  mind  of  Mr.  Rosenberg 
when  he  established  so  wisely  the  objects  and  pro- 
portions of  his  public  benefactions,  the  wisdom  of 
which  has  called  forth  universal  admiration.  Colonel 
Mott  stood  high  among  the  leaders  of  the  legal  pro- 
fession of  Texas  and  among  her  respected  citizens. 

The  erection  of  the  Library  was  Major  Walker's 
next  labor  in  discharging  his  great  trust  to  give  to  the 
people  of  Galveston  the  realization  of  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg's munificence.  In  planning  the  library  organ- 
ization, Major  Walker  associated  with  himself  not 
only  Colonel  Mott  but  also  Captain  J.  P.  Alvey  and 
Mr.  I.  Lovenberg,  leading  citizens  of  Galveston,  and 
secured  a  charter  from  the  State  for  the  Rosenberg 
Library  Association  in  July,  1900.  This  charter  pro- 
vided for  a  self-perpetuating  life-membership  board 
of  twenty  trustees  and,  elected  from  their  number,  a 
managing  board  of  seven  directors.  The  persons 
chosen  to  constitute  the  original  boards  were  named 
in  the  charter.  The  estimated  value  of  the  property 
was  stated  in  the  Charter  of  the  Association  to  be 
$500,000.  The  Board  of  Directors  organized  on 
October  17,  1900,  and  in  February,  1901,  received 
from  Major  A.  J.  Walker,  Executor  of  the  Rosenberg 
Estate,  for  the  Rosenberg  Library,  the  residuum  of 
the  estate,  which  by  inventory  was  valued  at  $620,- 
529.69,  the  great  increase  in  the  value  of  the  estate 
under  good  management  accruing  continually  to  the 
benefit  of  the  Library  Fund. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Major  Walker  should  be  credited  with  faithful 
stewardship,  wise  and  skilful  management,  the  stern- 
est standard  of  honor,  and  the  highest  public  spirit. 
The  will  provided  a  fee  of  $10,000  for  his  services  as 
executor,  no  security  or  bond  was  required,  and  the 
only  limitation  upon  the  executors  was  that,  to  pre- 
vent the  executors  being  "hurried  by  my  devisees  to 
the  extent  of  requiring  them  to  sacrifice  property," 
the  estate  was  not  to  be  entirely  settled  up  in  less  than 
two  years.  Major  Walker  believed  that  for  the  best 
interests  of  the  public  the  various  provisions  of  the 
will  should  not  be  carried  out  and  the  whole  estate 
settled  up  in  so  short  a  time  as  two  years.  He  could 
see  the  need  of  a  large  residuary  fund,  for  he  realized 
the  great  value  in  the  life  of  the  city  of  such  an  insti- 
tution as  Mr.  Rosenberg  had  provided  for  under  the 
name  of  a  "free  public  library."  Accordingly  he  set 
out,  in  a  spirit  of  devotion  to  the  work,  always  with 
the  advice  and  hearty  cooperation  of  Colonel  Mott, 
to  manage  the  whole  estate  very  carefully  while  the 
provisions  of  the  will  were  carried  out  one  after  an- 
other. When  Major  Walker  died  on  November  29, 
1904,  the  whole  estate  had  been  completely  settled  up, 
the  Library  had  been  built,  the  institution  had  been 
opened  for  public  use  the  previous  June,  and  it  was 
successfully  serving  the  public.  He  had  devoted 
nearly  all  his  time,  even  though  a  poor  man,  during 
the  last  twelve  years  of  his  life  to  the  management  of 
the  Rosenberg  Estate,  and  he  now  saw  a  splendid 
public  library  for  Galveston  with  total  assets  con- 


ADMINISTRATION  OF  ESTATE 

servatively  valued  at  nearly  $800,000.  Although  a 
prominent  citizen  and  a  man  whose  financial  advice 
was  everywhere  sought  and  whose  business  judgment 
and  integrity  were  everywhere  trusted,  Major  Walker 
was  the  most  unostentatious  of  men.  Certainly  there 
has  very  rarely  been  recorded  a  more  remarkable  in- 
stance of  quiet  efficiency  and  devoted  public  service 
in  the  management  of  a  great  trust. 


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THE  GALVESTON  ORPHANS'  HOME 

THE  first  bequest  for  a  public  purpose  named  in  Mr. 
Rosenberg's  will  is  contained  in  the  fourteenth  clause. 
This  clause  gives  to  the  Galveston  Orphans'  Home 
$30,000  for  a  building.  With  the  approval  of  the 
executors,  the  trustees  erected  a  fine  new  building  of 
cream-colored  pressed  brick,  with  a  frontage  of  104 
feet  and  an  extreme  width  of  94  feet,  on  the  block  of 
ground  then  owned  by  the  Home  on  2ist  Street,  ex- 
tending from  Avenue  M  to  Mj/2,  after  first  moving 
the  old  buildings  off.  Mr.  I.  Lovenberg  was  chair- 
man of  the  building  committee,  Alfred  Muller  was 
architect,  and  Thomas  Lucas  was  contractor.  The 
corner-stone  was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremony  on 
October  20,  1894.  Mr.  W.  T.  Armstrong  was  the 
orator  of  the  day.  The  dedicatory  exercises  were 
held  at  the  Home  on  the  i^th  of  November,  1895, 
Mr.  Leo  N.  Levi  being  the  orator  of  the  evening. 
This  last  act  in  the  fulfilment  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's  first 
public  bequest  was  made  a  very  important  occasion 
and  a  great  crowd  of  citizens  was  present  to  honor 
the  memory  of  the  donor. 

The  Galveston  Orphans'  Home  had  its  beginning 
in  October,  1878,  with  the  efforts  of  Mr.  George 
Sealy  and  Mrs.  E.  M.  Arnold.  In  1879  there  were 
about  twenty  inmates  of  the  Home.  A  Board  of  Di- 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

rectors  was  then  organized  with  Judge  C.  L.  Cleve- 
land as  President  and  J.  S.  Montgomery  as  Secretary 
and  Treasurer.  In  1880  a  charter  was  obtained  and 
Moritz  Kopperl  was  made  President;  George  Sealy, 
Treasurer;  and  J.  S.  Montgomery,  Secretary.  In 
1 88 1  about  $7000  was  raised  by  donations  for  a  build- 
ing fund.  With  this  sum  the  Bolton  place  (the  per- 
manent site  of  the  Home)  was  bought  and  additions 
and  alterations  made  to  make  the  house  suitable  for 
the  Home.  Three  more  lots  adjoining  were  bought 
in  1889,  which  gave  the  Home  the  ownership  of  the 
entire  block.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Kopperl  in 
1883,  Judge  Cleveland  became  President  and  Henry 
Rosenberg  Vice-President.  Judge  Cleveland  died  in 
February,  1892,  and  Mr.  Rosenberg  became  Presi- 
dent, holding  that  office  until  his  death.  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg had  been  a  generous  and  regular  contributor 
towards  the  support  of  the  Home  from  the  first,  and 
a  trustee  since  July,  1883. 

To  replace  the  storm-damaged  building,  a  new 
building  of  St.  Louis  pressed  granite  brick  was 
erected  on  the  same  site  in  1901  with  floor  plans  simi- 
lar to  the  old.  The  architect  was  George  B.  Stowe, 
and  the  builder,  Harry  Devlin.  The  building  was 
dedicated  on  March  30,  1902,  Mr.  M.  H.  Royston 
delivering  the  dedicatory  address.  At  the  time  of  the 
dedication  I.  Lovenberg  was  President  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees,  John  Sealy,  Treasurer,  and  J.  S.  Mont- 
gomery, Secretary.  Mrs.  H.  A.  Landes  was  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Lady  Managers,  a  position 


GALVESTON  ORPHANS'  HOME 

which  she  had  held  for  many  years.  On  the  twenty- 
third  anniversary  of  the  Home,  November  21,  1893, 
following  an  address  by  Mr.  Edward  F.  Harris, 
there  was  unveiled  a  fine  bronze  tablet  as  a  memorial 
to  Mr.  Rosenberg,  the  donor  of  the  building.  In  the 
centre  of  the  tablet,  in  relief,  is  a  good  portrait  of 
Mr.  Rosenberg  in  bronze.  The  Home  receives  part 
of  its  support  from  interest  on  a  small  endowment 
fund  of  about  $20,000  derived  from  several  bequests 
and  donations.  Otherwise  its  support  comes  from 
voluntary  contributions  by  Galveston  people. 


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INTERIOR  VIEW  OF  GRACE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


PLATE  No.  19 


GRACE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

THE  fifteenth  clause  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's  will  contains 
his  second  public  bequest.  By  this  clause  he  gives 
$30,000  "to  Grace  Church  Parish  in  the  city  of  Gal- 
veston  to  be  used  for  building  a  church."  With  this 
sum  a  beautiful  Gothic  church  edifice  of  limestone 
(Leon  whitestone)  was  erected  on  the  quarter  block 
owned  by  the  Church  at  Avenue  L  and  36th  Street,  the 
old  wood  building  having  been  moved  back  to  make 
a  place  for  the  new.  The  church,  with  its  heavy 
buttresses  and  massive  tower  with  corbeled  battle- 
ments, is  in  all  its  parts  in  dignified  form  and  pleasing 
proportions.  The  edifice  has  a  length  of  109  feet,  a 
width  of  50  feet,  and  an  extreme  width,  including  the 
tower,  of  78  feet.  N.  J.  Clayton  &  Co.  were  the  archi- 
tects, and  Thomas  Darragh  was  the  contractor.  The 
consulting  architect  and  designer  of  the  interior  fur- 
nishings and  the  memorial  windows  was  Silas  Mc- 
Bee,  of  the  University  of  the  South,  Sewanee,  Ten- 
nessee, afterward  editor  of  the  Churchman.  On 
December  23, 1894,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with  im- 
posing religious  ceremony  by  Right  Rev.  George  H. 
Kinsolving,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Texas,  assisted  by  Rev. 
J.  R.  Carter,  Rector  of  Grace  Church,  and  others. 
The  church  edifice  was  consecrated  with  the  Episco- 
pal ritual  on  November  17,  1895,  by  Bishop  Kinsol- 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

ving,  assisted  by  Right  Rev.  David  Sessums,  Bishop 
of  Louisiana,  once  the  Rector  of  Grace  Church,  and 
Rev.  J.  R.  Carter.  The  sermon  was  given  by  Bishop 
Sessums. 

The  interior  furnishings  of  Grace  Church  are  of 
excellent  design,  simple  and  very  beautiful.  Perfect 
honesty  in  material  and  workmanship  were  insisted 
upon.  What  is  oak  in  appearance  is  real  oak,  the 
carving  is  of  the  best  workmanship,  the  bronze  is  the 
best  bronze  to  be  obtained.  No  sham  was  tolerated; 
everything  is  exactly  what  it  appears  to  be.  Mrs. 
Mollie  Ragan  Macgill  Rosenberg  gave  about  $20,000 
toward  the  interior  furnishings  and  the  windows  of 
the  church.  The  reredos  or  altar-piece,  which  was 
described  at  the  time  of  the  consecration  of  the 
church  as  "probably  the  richest  that  has  ever  been  put 
into  any  church  in  the  South,"  Mrs.  Rosenberg  made 
a  memorial  to  her  husband.  The  lectern  is  a  me- 
morial to  Mrs.  Letitia  Cooper  Rosenberg.  A  south 
window  is  a  memorial  to  Mr.  Rosenberg's  parents 
and  has  this  inscription:  "In  loving  memory  of  the 
parents  of  Henry  Rosenberg:  Rudolf  Rosenberg, 
born  October  17,  1798,  died  July  19,  1862,  in  Bilten, 
Canton  Glarus,  Switzerland;  Waldburg  Rosenberg, 
born  October  3,  1798,  died  February  18,  1856,  in  Bil- 
ten, Canton  Glarus,  Switzerland."  Other  memorial 
gifts  by  Mrs.  Rosenberg  were  the  bronze  pulpit,  the 
bishop's  chair,  the  clergy  stall  and  other  chancel  fur- 
niture, the  chancel  windows,  and  two  windows  on  the 
north  side  of  the  church.  (Rich  and  beautiful  me- 


GRACE  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 

morials  of  a  similar  character,  designed  by  the  same 
artist,  Mr.  Silas  McBee,  were  in  April,  1899,  donated 
by  Mrs.  Rosenberg  to  St.  John's  Episcopal  Church 
in  her  native  village,  Hagerstown,  Maryland.)  The 
Grace  Church  organ  is  a  memorial  to  Mr.  Rosenberg 
by  the  congregation  of  Grace  Church  and  friends. 
Through  the  efforts  of  Rev.  S.  M.  Bird,  D.D.,  Rec- 
tor of  Trinity  Church,  a  Sunday  school  was  started 
in  the  western  part  of  the  city  in  1874.  As  this  re- 
ligious enterprise  grew,  $2700  was  raised  to  buy  a 
quarter  block  of  ground  (the  present  site  of  Grace 
Church),  and  $3100  to  erect  a  chapel.  The  Bishop 
then  assigned  Rev.  Jeremiah  Ward  to  take  charge, 
and  the  mission  was  called  Trinity  Chapel.  In  1876 
the  organization  became  Grace  Church  Parish,  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Ward  as  Rector.  Mr.  Rosenberg  be- 
came connected  with  Grace  Church  about  1883  or 
1884.  The  church  continued  to  grow  and  at  the  time 
the  new  church  edifice  was  consecrated  there  were 
220  communicants. 


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THE  LETITIA  ROSENBERG 
WOMAN'S  HOME 

MR.  ROSENBERG'S  will  provided  $30,000  "to  procure 
and  furnish  an  appropriate  building  for  the  Woman's 
Home  of  Galveston,"  and  charged  the  "executors 
with  the  duty  of  executing  this  bequest."  A  site  was 
bought  at  Rosenberg  Avenue  and  Avenue  O^,  and 
a  fine  building,  Sox  120  feet,  with  30  rooms,  was 
erected  in  1895.  The  architect  was  Alfred  Muller, 
and  the  builder,  Harry  Devlin.  The  corner-stone 
was  laid  on  April  9,  1895,  the  address  being  given  by 
Major  F.  Charles  Hume.  The  formal  dedication  of 
the  Home  occurred  on  January  22,  1896.  Colonel 
M.  F.  Mott  delivered  the  principal  address,  in  which 
he  gave  a  brief  history  of  the  institution,  and  for  the 
executors  of  the  Rosenberg  Estate  presented  the  deed 
of  the  property  to  Mr.  Charles  Fowler,  president  of 
the  new  corporation,  "The  Woman's  Home."  Mr. 
Fowler  responded  and  then  presented  the  keys  of  the 
building  to  Mrs.  George  P.  Finlay,  President  of  the 
Board  of  Lady  Managers. 

The  movement  for  a  Galveston  home  for  women 
originated  with  some  charitable  ladies  in  the  year 
An  organization  was  formed  in  the  spring  of 
,  with  Mrs.  George  P.  Finlay  as  president,  and 
a  house  at  3ist  Street  and  Avenue  I  was  rented  at  $25 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

a  month.  Small  gifts  from  many  who  were  interested 
in  the  project  supplied  furniture  for  the  house  and 
support  for  the  Home.  Mrs.  Gray  was  the  first  ma- 
tron, and  she  was  succeeded  by  Miss  Minnie  Gray. 
A  home  was  thus  provided  for  twenty-three  women 
the  first  year.  At  the  time  the  new  building  was  dedi- 
cated there  were  thirteen  women  in  the  Home.  Mrs. 
Finlay  continued  President  of  the  Board  of  Lady 
Managers  from  the  beginning  until  1915. 


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Y.  M.  C.  A.  OFFICE  AND  RECEPTION  ROOM 


Y.  M.  C.  A.  GYMNASIUM 


PLATE  No.  22 


THE  GALVESTON  YOUNG  MEN'S 
CHRISTIAN  ASSOCIATION 

THE  eighteenth  clause  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's  will  gave 
$65,000  "for  the  purchase  (or  erection)  of  a  suitable 
building  for  the  use  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  of  Galveston,"  including  "cost  of  the 
ground,"  and  the  "executors  are  charged  with  the 
execution  of  this  bequest."  A  site  was  bought  in 
August,  1894,  at  tne  southwest  corner  of  Tremont 
Street  and  Avenue  G,  for  $17,500.  The  small  build- 
ings on  the  site  were  sold  and  removed.  The  archi- 
tectural plans  of  Charles  W.  Bulger,  of  Galveston, 
were  accepted  in  June,  1895.  These  plans  were  modi- 
fied later  to  reduce  the  cost  of  the  building  to  about 
$47,000,  and  the  contract  was  let  to  Lawrence 
Brothers  &  Mason. 

The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  March  10,  1896,  by 
the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas,  Ancient 
Free  and  Accepted  Masons.  B.  R.  Abernethy  of 
Gonzales  acted  as  Grand  Master;  M.  F.  Mott,  as 
Deputy  Grand  Master;  Rev.  A.  C.  Garrett,  D.D.,  of 
Dallas,  Bishop  of  North  Texas,  as  Grand  Chaplain; 
and  Rev.  J.  R.  Carter,  as  Grand  Orator.  A  brief 
address  by  Bishop  Garrett  was  especially  eloquent 
and  impressive.  Frank  B.  Nichols  was  then  Presi- 
dent of  the  Association.  At  the  annual  meeting  on 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

February  7,  1897,  held  at  St.  John's  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  Broadway  and  Rosenberg  Avenue,  a 
full  report  of  the  work  of  the  Galveston  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
was  presented,  with  the  explanation  that  a  fund  of  at 
least  $10,000  was  needed  for  furniture  and  equipment 
for  the  new  building  provided  for  by  Mr.  Rosenberg. 
A  little  later  about  $12,000  was  donated  for  this  pur- 
pose by  three  friends  of  the  Association  and  its  mem- 
bers, and  the  furnishing  of  the  building  was  com- 
pleted in  1899. 

The  formal  dedication  occurred  on  January  i, 
1898,  seven  months  after  the  occupation  of  the  build- 
ing for  the  regular  work  of  the  Association.  Major 
A.  J.  Walker,  Executor  of  the  Rosenberg  Estate,  pre- 
sented the  property  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  Board  of 
Directors,  closing  with  these  words:  "In  delivering 
to  you  now  the  deeds  of  conveyance  for  this  structure 
and  the  site  which  it  occupies,  I  feel  that  I  cannot 
too  strongly  impress  upon  you  that  the  duty  and  obli- 
gation will  now  devolve  upon  you  and  your  succes- 
sors of  demonstrating  the  wisdom  of  the  kindly  im- 
pulse which  has  prompted  this  generous  benefaction." 
Mr.  C.  F.  W.  Felt,  President  of  the  Association,  re- 
sponded for  the  Board  of  Directors,  saying  in  part: 
"In  accepting  this  beautiful  home  the  officers  and 
membership  pledge  themselves  to  use  it  to  its  fullest 
capacity  as  an  instrument  for  the  physical,  intellec- 
tual, and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  young  men  of  Gal- 
veston. .  .  .  We  will  do  our  utmost  to  use  this  great 
gift  so  that  it  will  forever  honor  the  name  of  Rosen- 


GALVESTON  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

berg."  Resolutions  of  gratitude  and  appreciation 
previously  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  were 
presented  by  Secretary  Palmer.  Rabbi  Henry  Cohen 
and  Major  F.  Charles  Hume  made  addresses.  Mr. 
Jens  Moller  closed  his  remarks  with  a  surprise  by 
presenting  a  paper  on  which  were  the  pledges  of  ten 
persons  for  $100  each  for  the  educational  work  of  the 
Association.  Several  months  previous  to  this  time, 
Mrs.  Rosenberg  had  presented  to  the  Association  a 
fine  portrait  (an  enlarged  photograph)  of  Mr. 
Rosenberg.  It  was  at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  that  the  term 
"Our  Benefactor"  was  first  applied  to  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg. This  inscription  was  framed  and  hung  just 
below  his  portrait.  The  officers  of  the  Association  at 
this  time  were:  C.  F.  W.  Felt,  President;  James  S. 
Brown,  Vice-President;  Fred  W.  Fickett,  Recording 
Secretary;  J.  T.  Huffmaster,  Treasurer;  Rev.  Judson 
B.  Palmer,  General  Secretary;  Harvey  L.  Smith, 
Physical  Director;  and  C.  W.  Varnum,  Assistant 
Secretary. 

This  was  the  fourth  building  Mr.  Rosenberg  had 
provided  for  among  his  public  bequests,  and  it  repre- 
sents the  largest  of  these  bequests,  with  the  exception 
of  the  Public  Library.  This  building  was  the  first 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  building  erected  in  Texas,  and  it  is  still 
one  of  the  largest.  It  has  120  feet  frontage  on  Tre- 
mont  Street,  its  depth  is  84  feet,  and  it  is  four  stories 
in  height.  The  first  story  is  of  limestone,  and  the 
stories  above  of  buff  pressed  brick  with  red  terra-cotta 
trimming.  The  first  floor,  fronting  on  Tremont 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Street,  is  used  for  stores.  On  the  second  floor  are  the 
offices  and  reception  and  game  rooms,  and,  entered 
from  this  floor,  there  are  the  gymnasium,  and  the 
auditorium  and  lecture  room  with  a  seating  capacity 
of  850.  On  the  other  floors  are  the  reading  rooms 
and  library,  class  rooms,  parlor,  and  other  rooms. 

The  beginning  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  in  Galveston  was  on  the  fifteenth  of 
April,  1859,  only  fifteen  years  after  the  founding  of 
the  Association  in  London,  England,  in  June,  1844, 
and  less  than  eight  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
first  Association  in  the  United  States  in  Boston.  The 
Galveston  Association  had  rooms  on  the  second  floor 
in  the  Fix  building  (now  the  Tribune  building),  on 
the  northeast  corner  of  Post-office  and  22d  Streets. 
James  Sorley  was  President;  M.  F.  Mott,  Vice-Presi- 
dent;  George  H.  Traube,  Treasurer;  and  Clinton  G. 
Wells,  Secretary.  This  organization  seems  to  have 
lapsed  before  1866.  Another  association  was  organ- 
ized on  the  zd  of  April,  1874,  with  George  M.  Courts 
as  President.  Rooms  were  established  at  2121  Post- 
office  Street.  One  or  two  years  later  new  quarters 
were  rented  from  Henry  Rosenberg  at  2117  Market 
Street.  In  April,  1876,  George  M.  Steirer  became 
President;  George  E.  Clothier,  Treasurer;  Rev.  J.  C. 
Kopp  and  E.  Stavenhagen,  Secretaries;  and  these, 
with  H.  B.  Goodman,  J.  T.  Huffmaster,  and  others, 
constituted  the  Executive  Committee.  In  March, 
1878,  rooms  were  rented  on  the  west  side  of  Tremont 
Street,  between  Market  and  Mechanic  Streets,  with 


GALVESTON  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

George  E.  Clothier  as  paid  General  Secretary.  All 
service  to  the  Association  had  been  rendered  free  up 
to  this  time.  After  four  or  five  months,  however,  all 
the  work  of  the  Association  was  suspended  because  of 
lack  of  support,  and  no  active  organization  existed 
for  six  years. 

The  present  Galveston  Y.  M.  C.  A.  was  organ- 
ized on  May  23,  1884.  H.  Lee  Sellers  was  chosen 
President,  Thomas  Conyngton  becoming  Secretary  a 
little  later.  In  January,  1885,  rooms  were  occupied 
on  the  west  side  of  22d  Street,  two  doors  north  of 
Market  Street,  in  the  Alvey  building.  The  rooms 
were  kept  open  from  9  A.M.  to  9  P.M.  Among  the 
volunteers  for  evening  service  were  Charles  R. 
Brown,  J.  M.  Fendley,  E.  G.  Littlejohn,  H.  Lee 
Sellers,  George  E.  Clothier,  F.  D.  Minor,  C.  P. 
Marye,  H.  R.  Conyngton,  Thomas  Conyngton,  and 
Robert  Burney,  Jr.  In  October,  1885,  the  Associ- 
ation moved  to  the  southeast  corner  of  22d  and 
Mechanic  Streets,  occupying  two  large  rooms  on  the 
second  floor  for  reading  rooms  and  the  entire  third 
floor  for  a  gymnasium.  The  membership  at  this  time 
was  one  hundred. 

In  order  to  provide  for  the  employment  of  a 
trained  General  Secretary  a  guarantee  fund  was 
raised  by  subscription  early  in  1886.  Henry  Rosen- 
berg, W.  L.  Moody,  R.  S.  Willis,  W.  H.  Willis,  J.  H. 
Hutchings,  William  Lofland,  John  D.  Rogers,  J.  S. 
Rogers,  George  Sealy,  J.  N.  Sawyer,  James  Moore, 
W.  P.  Ballinger,  Leon  Blum,  and  M.  C.  McLemore 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

were  subscribers  to  this  fund  at  five  dollars  a  month. 
Butler  Jack,  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  served  as  General 
Secretary  from  March  to  September.  At  this  time 
there  was  a  membership  of  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty. 

On  May  24,  1886,  the  Ladies'  Auxiliary  to  the 
Association  was  organized  with  twenty- five  members. 
Mrs.  Lavinia  P.  Minor  was  President;  Mrs.  John 
Sealy,  Vice-President;  and  Miss  Rebecca  Harris, 
Secretary  and  Treasurer.  The  Auxiliary  has  contin- 
ued in  active  service  ever  since  its  organization.  On 
November  i,  Rev.  Judson  B.  Palmer  became  General 
Secretary,  a  position  which  he  occupied  continuously 
(except  for  nearly  a  year  in  1898  and  1899,  when  he 
was  Y.  M.  C.  A.  State  Secretary  for  Texas)  until  the 
end  of  the  year  1912,  when  he  was  made  General  Sec- 
retary Emeritus  and  still  continues  to  perform  regu- 
lar duties  in  connection  with  the  Association. 

On  May  3,  1888,  the  Association  was  incorporated, 
with  thirteen  Directors,  as  follows:  H.  Lee  Sellers, 
George  Sealy,  J.  M.  Fendley,  J.  T.  Huffmaster, 
H.  R.  Conyngton,  Frank  M.  Ball,  C.  P.  Marye, 
Charles  R.  Brown,  C.  L.  Dealey,  John  Hanna,  W.  S. 
Griffin,  J.  P.  Boone,  and  James  Moore.  The  charter 
states  that  "This  corporation  is  formed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  improving  the  spiritual,  mental,  social,  and 
physical  condition  of  young  men."  It  came  to  be 
realized  that  there  must  be  a  trained  and  competent 
head  for  the  physical  department,  and  another  per- 
manent feature  was  inaugurated  when  J.  C.  Elsom, 

£120] 


GALVESTON  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

M.D.,  became  the  first  Physical  Director  in  Septem- 
ber, 1889.  Daniel  Cole  followed.  In  March,  1892, 
the  Association  moved  into  more  commodious  quar- 
ters at  2203  Post-office  Street,  having  rooms  on  the 
second  and  third  floors.  In  August,  1893,  Harvey  L. 
Smith,  a  graduate  of  the  Springfield  (Mass.)  Train- 
ing School,  became  the  third  Physical  Director,  serv- 
ing the  Association  very  acceptably  for  about  seven 
years,  until  the  end  of  April,  1900.  Mr.  A.  S.  Hopper 
was  the  first  Assistant  Secretary,  serving  the  Associ- 
ation from  April,  1895,  to  July,  1897.  In  May,  1896, 
the  Association,  being  obliged  to  move,  occupied 
temporary  and  quite  inadequate  quarters  pending  the 
completion  of  the  new  building,  which  by  contract 
was  to  be  ready  on  July  i,  1896.  After  long  delay, 
the  Association  occupied  the  new  building  on  June 
8,  1897,  the  builders'  work  still  going  on  for  several 
months  after  that. 

The  fine  new  building  resulting  from  Mr.  Rosen- 
berg's generosity  greatly  increased  the  Association's 
opportunity  for  service,  and  there  was  a  correspond- 
ing increase  in  work  and  membership.  In  May,  1913, 
Mr.  Charles  C.  Adams  donated  to  the  Association  the 
lot,  120x43  feet,  next  west  of  the  present  building, 
and  Mrs.  J.  C.  League  has  donated  $10,000.  Thus 
a  start  has  been  made  toward  a  much  needed  enlarge- 
ment of  the  building.  The  present  officers  of  the 
Association  are:  William  T.  Armstrong,  President; 
Fred  W.  Catterall,  Vice-President;  E.  R.  Cheesbor- 
ough,  Recording  Secretary;  Milton  S.  Schwab, 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Treasurer;  Rev.  Judson  B.  Palmer,  General  Secre- 
tary Emeritus;  L.  C.  Hardie,  General  Secretary; 
Charles  C.  Hard,  Physical  Director. 

The  Galveston  Y.  M.  C.  A.  has  been  a  permanent 
organization  for  a  third  of  a  century.  Willing  and 
loyal  voluntary  workers  have  always  been  ready  to 
share  in  its  responsibilities  and  duties  and  to  labor 
earnestly  to  help  it  to  meet  its  opportunities,  many  of 
these  citizens  being  very  busy  men  and  prominent  in 
Galveston  business  life.  Among  those  who  have  given 
long  service  on  the  Board  of  Directors  are: 

H.  Lee  Sellers 1884-1892 

James  M.  Fendley  .      .      .      .  1886- 

J.  T.  Huffmaster     ....  1887-1907 

Fred  W.  Fickett      ....  1889-1901 

James  S.  Brown      ....  1890-1905 

Frank  B.  Nichols    ....  1891-1904 

William  C.  Ogilvy       .      .      .  1892-1912 

H.  B.  Goodman      ....  1892- 

W.  T.  Armstrong   ....  1892- 

Valery  E.  Austin     ....  1893- 

Maco  Stewart 1894- 

E.  R.  Cheesborough     .      .      .  1895- 

C.  F.W.  Felt 1897-1909 

Dr.  John  T.  Moore       .      .      .  1898-1909 

Dr.  J.  J.  Terrill       ....  1904-1913 

John  R.  Hedges       ....  1905-1913 

Fred  W.  Catterall  ....  1906- 

Milton  S.  Schwab  .      .      .      .  1911- 


THE  ROSENBERG  DRINKING  FOUNTAINS 


PLATE  No.  23  A 


THE  ROSENBERG  DRINKING 
FOUNTAINS 

THE  will  of  Mr.  Rosenberg  provided  $30,000  "for 
the  erection  of  not  less  than  ten  drinking  fountains 
for  man  and  beast  in  various  portions  of  the  city  of 
Galveston."  Seventeen  fountains  were  erected  by  the 
executors.  Twelve  were  placed  in  March,  1898,  one 
in  each  of  the  twelve  wards  of  the  city.  Five  larger 
and  more  costly  fountains  were  erected  in  October, 
1898.  Sherman  Park,  Central  Park,  and  Morris 
Lasker  Park  each  have  one  of  these  larger  fountains ; 
the  two  others  were  placed  in  large,  open  public 
spaces,  one  near  the  Union  Railway  Station  and  the 
other  on  2Oth  Street,  a  block  north  of  the  old  City 
Hall.  The  fountains  were  designed  by  J.  Massey 
Rhind,  of  New  York.  The  material  is  light  gray 
granite  ornamented  with  bronze.  Each  fountain 
bears  the  inscription :  "Gift  of  Henry  Rosenberg." 


HEROES'  MONUMENT 

A  Tribute  from  Henry  Rosenberg  to  the  Heroes  of  the 
Texas  Revolution  of  1836 


PLATE  No.  24 


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THE  TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

BY  bequest,  Mr.  Rosenberg  provided  $50,000  "for 
the  erection  of  an  appropriate  monument  in  the  city 
of  Galveston  to  the  memory  of  the  heroes  of  the  Texas 
revolution  of  1836."  The  result  is  the  noble  Heroes' 
Monument  of  granite  and  bronze  centrally  located 
at  Broadway  and  Rosenberg  Avenue,  the  widest 
streets  in  Galveston.  It  rises  seventy-two  feet  high 
and  is  thirty-four  feet  square  at  the  base.  The  story 
of  the  Texas  struggle  for  independence  is  told  by 
means  of  bronze  panels  and  bronze  figures  about  the 
granite  base.  A  bronze  figure  of  Victory,  twenty-two 
feet  high,  surmounts  the  granite  column.  The  sculp- 
tor was  Louis  Amateis,  of  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
bronze  figures  were  all  cast  in  Rome,  Italy,  the  larger 
ones  by  Bruno  &  Co.,  the  smaller  ones  and  the  panels 
by  Nelli  &  Co.  The  granite  portion  is  the  work  of 
J.  F.  Manning  &  Co.,  monumental  architects,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  The  granite  is  from  Concord,  N.  H., 
and  is  like  that  used  in  the  Library  of  Congress.  The 
monument  is  effectively  placed  at  the  intersection  of 
Broadway  and  Rosenberg  Avenue  (the  name  of  a^th 
Street  since  March,  1898,  when  it  was  changed  by  a 
city  ordinance  in  honor  of  the  city's  benefactor). 
Looking  down  either  street  from  the  monument,  one 
sees  a  beautiful  avenue  of  palms  and  oleanders. 
Although  San  Jacinto  Day,  the  twenty-first  of 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

April,  had  been  celebrated  for  many  years  as  a  Texas 
holiday,  the  sixty-fourth  anniversary  celebration  in 
Galveston  in  1900  had  special  significance  on  account 
of  the  unveiling  of  the  Texas  Heroes'  Monument. 
The  following  invitation  had  been  sent  throughout 
the  state  by 

SIDNEY  SHERMAN  CHAPTER 
DAUGHTERS  OF  THE  REPUBLIC  OF  TEXAS 

On  San  Jacinto  Day,  April  21,  1900,  the  Monument  will 
be  unveiled  which  was  presented  by  the  great  philan- 
thropist, Henry  Rosenberg,  to  the  State  of  Texas,  a 
memorial  to  the  Heroes  of  the  Texas  Revolution.  This 
Monument  is  the  result  of  a  bequest  of  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars, left  by  Mr.  Rosenberg  for  this  purpose,  the  execution 
of  which  has  been  under  the  wise  direction  of  his  executor, 
Major  A.  J.  Walker,  of  Galveston,  who  has  done  so  much 
toward  the  successful  realization  of  Mr.  Rosenberg's 
charities  and  benefactions  to  the  City  of  Galveston.  The 
bronze  statuary  for  the  completion  of  this  splendid  testi- 
monial to  the  valor,  honor,  courage  and  patriotism  of  the 
founders  and  defenders  of  the  Republic  of  Texas  was  all 
cast  in  Rome,  and  was  designed  by  Prof.  Amateis,  of 
Washington,  D.  C.,  one  of  the  noted  sculptors  of  this 
country.  In  his  symbolic  design  he  has  achieved  a  success 
that  is  satisfying  and  gratifying  to  every  patriotic  Texan, 
and  it  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  citizens  of  Galveston 
and  of  Sidney  Sherman  Chapter,  Daughters  of  the  Repub- 
lic of  Texas,  that  the  people  of  Texas  will  come  to  Galves- 
ton at  that  time  to  pay  homage  to  this  great  occasion  in 
the  history  of  our  State. 


TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

Offices  of  the  United  States,  State,  county,  and  city, 
and  the  courts  were  closed,  also  the  banks  and  many 
mercantile  houses  and  business  offices.  An  interest- 
ing exhibit  of  Texas  historical  relics  was  shown  in  the 
large  corner  show-window  of  Garbade,  Eiband  & 
Co.,  dry-goods  merchants,  and  attracted  much  atten- 
tion. A  large  procession  of  about  2500  school  chil- 
dren carrying  flags  and  flowers,  and  a  very  large 
flower,  military,  and  civic  parade,  were  features  of 
the  celebration.  The  monument  was  unveiled  with 
appropriate  ceremonies  in  the  presence  of  a  gather- 
ing of  perhaps  10,000  people  from  Galveston  and  all 
Texas.  Colonel  M.  F.  Mott  introduced  the  speakers. 
In  honor  of  the  Governor's  presence  on  the  occasion, 
a  governor's  salute  of  seventeen  guns  was  fired  by 
Battery  G,  First  United  States  Artillery,  as  the  pro- 
gram was  brought  to  a  close. 

PROGRAM 

OF  THE  UNVEILING  CEREMONIES  OF  THE  ROSENBERG 
MONUMENT  TO  TEXAS  HEROES, 
APRIL  21,  1900,  4  P.M. 

PRAYER Rev.  J.  R.  Carter 

CHORUS— "Texas,  Texas,  Texas  Forevermore" 

Children  of  the  Public  Schools 
ADDRESS— Presentation  of  the  Monument  to  the 
State  of  Texas,  on  Behalf  of  Major  A.  J. 
Walker,   Executor  of  the  Estate  of  Henry 
Rosenberg Hon.  M.  E.  Kleberg 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

UNVEILING  MONUMENT  .  Miss  Mollie  Macgill  Bridges 

PRESENTATION  OF  THE  SCULPTOR,  Louis 
AMATEIS Col.  M.  F.  Mott 

ADDRESS— Acceptance  of  the  Monument  for  the 

State  of  Texas    .  Joseph  D.  Sayers,  Governor  of  Texas 

CHORUS— "Texas  is  the  Land  for  Me,"  and 
"Away  Down  South  in  Texas,"  to  the  tune 
of  "Dixie"  ....  Children  of  the  Public  Schools 

ADDRESS — "Significance  of  the  Monument  to 

the  Youth  of  Texas"     .      .      .      .  Clay  Stone  Briggs 

ORATION — Acceptance  of  the  Monument  on 
Behalf  of  the  Heroes  of  the  Texas  Revolu- 
tion and  Their  Descendants  .  Hon.  J.  C.  Hutcheson 

ODE— "The  Texas  Star,"  by  Mabel  Place 
Smith,  dedicated  to  Texas  Heroes— Past, 
Present  and  Future  .  Read  by  W .  T.  Armstrong 

CHORUS— "America"  .        Children  of  the  Public  Schools 
BENEDICTION Rev.  J.  R.  Carter 

SALUTE 


THE  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

Views  from  the  East 


PLATE  No.  28 


THE  HEROES'  MONUMENT 
Views  from  the  West 


PLATE  No.  29 


THE  TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

(From  the  Galveston  News  of  November  2,  1913} 

RISING  in  silent  majesty  from  a  Galveston  esplanade 
of  spreading  palms,  blossom-laden  oleanders,  and 
close-cropped  grass,  a  great  bronze  figure  looks  stead- 
fastly to  the  north,  out  over  the  plains  of  Texas.  One 
hand  rests  upon  the  hilt  of  a  battle  sword  whose  blade 
is  twined  with  roses.  The  other  extends  the  crown  of 
laurel  won  when  the  crimson  of  the  sword  blade  was 
that  of  blood — not  rose  petals.  It  is  a  Texas  of  roar- 
ing cities,  of  busy  towns,  of  crop-bearing  fields  that 
now  meets  the  gaze  of  the  tranquil  bronze  face,  look- 
ing over  a  harbor  filled  with  ocean  liners,  across  the 
coast  country  truck  gardens,  past  the  mid-State  fields 
of  cotton,  to  the  horizon-bounded  plains  where  cattle 
graze.  It  is  a  State  far  removed  from  the  Texas  of 
those  turbulent  times  when  the  Lone  Star  now  crown- 
ing the  great  bronze  Victory  first  rose,  half  obscured 
by  powder  smoke  and  human  blood.  The  steel  rails 
that  now  draw  together  at  the  horizon's  rim  were 
then  the  trails  of  the  pioneers.  The  smoke  from  the 
factory  chimneys  of  Dallas  and  Fort  Worth  was  then 
the  smoke  of  burning  cabins.  And  the  granite  base 
that  bears  aloft  the  bronze  Victory  bears  also  the 
names  and  faces  of  the  men  who  wrought  from  that 
blood-stained  wilderness  the  foundations  of  Texas 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

to-day — men  whose  names  shall  last  even  longer  than 
lasts  the  granite  and  the  bronze. 

April  21,  1836,  the  battle  of  San  Jacintowas  fought 
within  twenty-five  miles  of  the  spot  where  the  bronze 
Victory  now  rears  its  head.  Out  of  the  turmoil  of 
one  memorable  charge  rose  the  republic  of  Texas. 
Seven  years  later  there  came  to  Galveston  a  boy  who 
had  emigrated  from  his  home  in  Switzerland.  The 
fights  and  names  that  are  history  now  were  almost 
news  then.  Sam  Houston,  "Deaf"  Smith,  Davy 
Crockett,  Travis,  Fannin,  De  Zavala,  Goliad,  San 
Jacinto,  the  Alamo,  were  something  more  than  names 
to  be  memorized  laboriously  by  school  children ;  some- 
thing more  than  the  objective  points  for  week-end 
excursions  at  reduced  fares.  All  Texas  yet  thrilled 
with  the  sense  of  freedom  dearly  bought,  and  into  the 
midst  of  it  came  Henry  Rosenberg.  Men  there  are 
in  Texas  whose  fathers  fought  in  the  battles  for  relief 
from  Mexican  domination.  Men  there  are  in  Texas 
whose  wealth  far  exceeds  that  of  the  great  Galveston 
philanthropist.  But  it  remained  for  the  Swiss  boy 
who  came  to  the  young  republic,  and  who  made 
Texas  his  home  for  the  many  years  during  which  he 
lived  and  worked,  to  rear  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
and  beautiful  of  monuments  to  commemorate  that 
fighting  spirit  for  which  during  his  life  he  never 
lacked  outspoken  tribute,  and  which  at  his  death  he 
sought  to  place  vividly  before  the  eyes  of  future  gen- 
erations. 

Fifty  simple  words  did  it.     Arithmetically  they 

D30] 


TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

were  worth  $1000  a  word.  Inspirationally  their 
value  is  incalculable.  Legally  they  are  known  as 
"Clause  19"  of  the  noted  Henry  Rosenberg  will.  And 
these  were  the  words : 

"I  give  $50,000  for  the  erection  of  an  appropriate 
monument  in  the  city  of  Galveston  to  the  memory  of 
the  heroes  of  the  Texas  revolution  of  1836.  The 
execution  of  this  bequest  is  charged  upon  my  execu- 
tors, who  will  adopt  plans  and  have  the  monument 
erected  under  their  immediate  supervision." 

Simple  words  these,  by  a  straightforward  business 
man  whose  confidence  in  his  associates  left  the  details 
in  their  hands.  And  in  truth  the  man  whose  spirit  is 
touched  at  the  magnificent  memorial  towering  up  at 
the  juncture  of  Broadway  and  Rosenberg  Avenue 
owes  much  to  the  fidelity  to  their  trust  of  Major  A.  J. 
Walker  and  W.  J.  Frederich,  the  executors.  For  no 
small  amount  of  praise  redounds  to  those  men  under 
whose  "immediate  supervision"  was  launched  the 
work  that  resulted  in  the  shaft  whose  broad  granite 
base  now  bears,  deep  carven,  the  words,  "A  Tribute 
from  Henry  Rosenberg  to  the  Heroes  of  the  Texas 
Revolution  of  1836."  It  is  a  tribute  worthy  of  the 
cause  to  which  it  is  dedicated.  It  is  a  tribute  unique 
in  the  history  of  monuments  built  to  commemorate 
the  heroic  deeds  of  mankind.  It  is  a  tribute  that  in 
its  clean-cut  eloquence  and  wonderfully  adequate 
simplicity  would  have  won  the  approval  of  the  man 
who  did  not  wish  to  have  one  source  of  his  inspira- 
tion die  with  him. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Sixty-four  years  after  Sam  Houston's  charge  at 
San  Jacinto,  all  Galveston  gathered  for  the  dedica- 
tion ceremonies  when  the  Texas  Heroes'  Monument 
was  unveiled.  It  was  San  Jacinto  Day — April  21, 
1900 — when  this  one  of  Henry  Rosenberg's  many 
gifts  to  Galveston  was  given  into  the  hands  of  the 
people.  A  gorgeous  parade  of  flower-decked  floats, 
speeches  from  widely  known  orators  in  Texas,  an 
audience  ranging  from  the  oldest  who  were  able  to 
attend  to  the  ranks  of  assembled  school  children, 
formed  the  program  of  the  dedication  day.  From  all 
parts  of  the  State  came  noted  Texans;  from  other 
States  came  distinguished  guests.  It  was  a  day  of 
elaborate  ceremony,  of  many  words. 

The  flowers  that  adorned  floats  and  carriages  were 
withered  thirteen  years  ago.  The  speeches  that  were 
greeted  with  bursts  of  applause  are  now  buried  in 
yellowed  scrap-books  and  in  the  files  of  the  News. 
The  company  that  assembled  in  Galveston  will  never 
convene  again.  But  out  of  the  mass  of  words,  con- 
gratulatory and  eulogistic,  there  yet  stand  the  four, 
engraved  deeply  in  the  massive  stone  on  which  the 
feet  of  the  bronze  Victory  rest.  They  bear  simply 
and  clearly  to  all  who  pass  the  thoughts  that  moved 
Henry  Rosenberg  to  give  lasting  expression  to  his 
admiration  for  the  qualities  on  which,  as  a  founda- 
tion four-square,  the  republic  of  Texas  rose,  a  nation 
among  the  nations  of  the  world. 


TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 


PATRIOTISM.    HONOR.    DEVOTION.    COURAGE. 

Words  to  conjure  with  are  these!  And  while  the 
bronze  Victory  stands  in  place  they  will  carry  their 
message  from  the  granite  entablature  that  surmounts 
the  four  great  columns  of  the  monument.  They  rep- 
resent the  qualities  in  early  Texas  history  that  Henry 
Rosenberg  found  worth  while — sufficiently  worth 
while  to  endeavor  to  impress  upon  those  who  came 
after  him. 

Great  as  was  the  message  the  monument  was  des- 
tined to  carry,  equally  great  is  the  tremendous  sim- 
plicity with  which  the  task  is  performed.  Few  are 
the  memorials  that  as  completely  and  beautifully  tell 
the  story  of  so  epic  a  series  of  events  as  were  painted 
on  the  historical  canvas  by  the  men  who  fought  Mex- 
ico in  the  early  '303.  It  is  virtually  unknown  for  one 
monument,  without  a  hopelessly  involved  mass  of  de- 
tail, to  represent  an  entire  range  of  events  covering 
a  struggle  so  noteworthy.  Yet  the  Texas  Heroes' 
Monument  with  stark  realism  and  simple  symbolism 
portrays  the  struggle  of  the  Texas  colonists  in  a  man- 
ner to  stir  the  most  sluggish  blood.  Through  sheer 
familiarity  with  the  bronze  and  granite  masterpiece, 
the  uncommon  attributes  of  the  work  have  faded  from 
the  minds  of  many  Galvestonians.  Yet  it  is  interest- 
ing to  witness  the  tribute  which  the  heroic  design 
draws  from  the  hundreds  of  strangers  visiting  in  the 
city.  In  groups  small  and  large,  with  note-books, 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

sketch-books  and  cameras,  they  are  to  be  seen  about 
the  broad  base  of  the  monument  day  by  day,  studying 
the  bronze  panels  intently  or  stepping  back  to  take  in 
admiringly  the  complete  view  of  the  great  work. 

It  is  in  these  bronze  panels  that  in  high  relief  is 
shown  the  series  of  the  Texas  revolution's  most  stir- 
ring events.  The  defense  of  the  Alamo,  the  massacre 
at  Goliad,  the  charge  of  Sam  Houston's  troops  that 
won  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto,  and  Santa  Anna  before 
General  Houston  at  San  Jacinto  are  scenes  that  it  is 
no  mean  task  to  present  in  bas-relief  on  bronze  panels 
nine  feet  long  and  three  feet  wide.  Yet  in  those  four 
panels  they  have  been  presented  with  an  artistry  that 
equals  the  tense  battle  canvases  of  Jean  Baptiste 
Detaille. 

The  defense  of  the  Alamo  is  showrn  at  the  moment 
the  attacking  Mexican  column  has  broken  its  way 
through  the  shattered  door  of  the  bullet-pitted  mis- 
sion. Through  the  splinter-strewn  gateway  the  sol- 
diers of  Santa  Anna  are  rushing,  the  handful  of 
wounded  and  exhausted  Texans  engaging  them  hand 
to  hand.  Some  of  the  gallant  group,  notwithstanding 
the  entry  of  the  Mexicans,  still  hold  their  posts  at  the 
windows,  firing  into  the  thick  of  the  ranks  outside, 
where  their  last  few  bullets  will  do  the  greatest  execu- 
tion. Bowie  lies  wounded  on  a  couch  in  a  corner, 
braced  on  one  elbow,  weapon  in  hand,  to  meet  the 
last  onslaught.  About  him  crouch  three  women,  one 
holding  a  baby  close  to  her  breast. 

The  massacre  at  Goliad  is  a  scene  equally  vivid. 


TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

The  Texas  prisoners,  promised  the  honors  of  war  be- 
fore they  surrendered,  were  marched  out  of  the  town 
between  two  columns  of  Mexican  soldiers.  Their 
freedom  had  been  promised  if  they  gave  up  their 
arms.  The  sculptor  has  shown  the  moment  when  one 
of  the  Mexican  columns  fell  back  and  Santa  Anna's 
troops  poured  a  volley  of  lead  into  the  group  of  un- 
armed Texans.  One  broad-shouldered  Texan  stands 
out  in  the  foreground,  every  line  of  his  tautened 
muscles  radiating  the  contempt  he  is  hurling  at  the 
Mexican  troops. 

No  less  magnificent  in  conception  and  execution  is 
the  panel  of  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto.  The  charge  of 
Sam  Houston's  fighters,  the  climax  of  the  historic 
struggle,  is  shown  with  a  prodigality  of  detail  that  is 
tense  in  action.  Leading  his  men  is  General  Houston 
on  horseback,  waving  his  hat  at  the  moment  he  has 
shouted  back:  "Hold  your  damned  fire!"  With  the 
concentrated  ferocity  inspired  by  the  battle-cry  of 
"Remember  the  Alamo!"  the  Texans  are  leaping  the 
trenches  and  sweeping  like  a  death-laden  hurricane 
upon  the  Mexican  ranks.  In  the  foreground  Deaf 
Smith,  his  horse  shot  beneath  him,  is  rushing  forward 
with  pistol  leveled  at  a  Mexican  officer.  Just  behind 
Sam  Houston,  General  Sherman  is  leading  the  Texas 
cavalry.  Swept  from  their  feet  by  the  furious  charge, 
the  Mexicans  are  at  the  point  of  breaking  ranks  and 
fleeing  in  disorganized  retreat. 

Last  of  the  series,  the  fourth  panel  depicts  the  scene 
after  the  surrender,  with  Santa  Anna  before  General 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Houston  at  San  Jacinto.  The  scene  has  been  made 
familiar  by  many  prints.  General  Houston,  wounded 
and  surrounded  by  his  men,  is  reclining  beneath  the 
live-oak  tree.  Santa  Anna,  disguised  as  a  common 
Mexican  soldier,  is  being  led  forward  toward  the 
blanket  on  which  the  future  President  of  the  Repub- 
lic of  Texas  rests.  Wonderfully  the  sculptor  has 
caught  the  spirit  of  the  moment. 

Crowning  the  four  granite  columns  is  the  twenty- 
two-foot  cast  bronze  figure  of  Victory,  at  the  time  of 
its  casting  the  second  largest  bronze  figure  in  Amer- 
ica. The  largest  was  the  William  Penn  statue  in 
Philadelphia.  Crowned  with  the  Lone  Star,  the 
figure  rests  the  point  of  the  great  cross-hilted  sword 
upon  the  earth  at  its  feet.  Roses  twine  about  the 
blade,  and  the  laurel  wreath  for  the  victors  is  ex- 
tended in  the  other  hand.  The  conception  of  the  rose- 
twined  sword,  signifying  the  beginning  of  an  era  of 
peace,  is  taken  from  German  poetry.  Victory  looks 
out  to  the  north,  across  the  State  of  Texas  and  over 
the  battle-field  of  San  Jacinto. 

Symbolizing  the  revolt  of  the  Texas  colonists  and 
the  outbreak  of  the  revolution,  at  the  base  of  the  col- 
umns on  the  east  side  of  the  monument  is  seated 
Defiance — a  large  bronze  female  figure.  A  lioness's 
pelt  is  thrown  over  her  head  and  shoulders ;  set  in  her 
zone,  blazes  the  Lone  Star.  She  is  clad  in  armor, 
helmeted,  and  bears  in  her  right  hand  an  unsheathed 
sword.  Sternly  determined,  the  figure  is  depicted  as 
ordering  the  Mexicans  out  of  Texas  territory.  In  the 

[1363 


TEXAS  HEROES'  MONUMENT 

stone  at  her  feet  is  engraved  the  date  of  the  outbreak 
of  hostilities — October  2,  1835. 

Symbolizing  with  equal  power  the  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, on  the  west  side  of  the  monument  is  a  large 
bronze  figure  of  Peace.  Majestically  draped,  she 
holds  a  sheathed  sword  in  one  hand.  With  the  other 
hand  she  raises  high  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  republic 
of  Texas.  The  Lone  Star  also  crowns  her  head, 
twined  with  a  wreath  of  laurel.  At  her  feet  is  en- 
graved the  date  of  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto — April 
21,  1836. 

A  group  of  bronze  figures,  showing  the  genius  of 
war  and  of  diplomacy,  adorns  the  north  front  of  the 
monument  at  the  base  of  the  granite  columns.  The 
group,  backed  by  a  flag,  supports  a  bronze  medal- 
lion of  General  Sam  Houston.  To  the  south  a  simi- 
lar bronze  group  supports  the  bronze  medallion  of 
Stephen  F.  Austin. 

Extending  completely  around  the  sub-base  of  the 
monument  is  a  frieze  of  bronze  medallions  of  Henry 
Smith,  Thomas  J.  Rusk,  Mirabeau  B.  Lamar,  Sidney 
Sherman,  James  Bowie,  David  G.  Burnet,  Edward 
Burleson,  Benjamin  R.  Milam,  James  W.  Fannin, 
and  James  Butler  Bonham. 

Engraven  on  a  bronze  shield  in  the  frieze  are  the 
names  of  William  B.  Travis,  David  Crockett,  Francis 
W.  Johnson,  Deaf  Smith,  George  W.  Hockley,  J.  C. 
Neill,  Henry  W.  Karnes,  and  Lorenzo  de  Zavala.  Of 
none  of  these  latter  heroes  of  the  early  days  in  Texas 
are  there  authentic  portraits  extant. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

The  monument  towers  seventy-two  feet  high  and 
is  thirty-four  feet  square  at  the  base.  The  light  gray 
granite  of  the  base  and  columns  was  brought  from 
the  quarries  at  Concord,  N.  H.  The  bronze  was  cast 
in  Rome,  Italy. 

The  sculptor,  Louis  Amateis,  of  Washington,  D.C., 
and  New  York,  though  a  naturalized  American  citi- 
zen, is  a  native  of  Italy.  He  was  born  in  Turin  in 
1855,  and  achieved  many  notable  works.  His  models, 
before  casting,  were  submitted  to  a  committee  of  art- 
ists, including  G.  Monteverde,  E.  Gallori,  and  G. 
Ferrari. 

MEIGS  O.  FROST. 


PART  III 
ROSENBERG   LIBRARY 


THE  LIBRARY  BEQUEST 

THE  TWENTY-FIRST  CLAUSE  OF  THE  WILL  OF 
HENRY  ROSENBERG 

"ALL  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  estate  of  which  I 
shall  die  seized  or  possessed,  or  to  which  I  shall  be 
entitled  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  I  give  to  my  said 
executors  in  trust  for  the  purpose  following:  They 
shall  preserve  and  maintain  the  same  and  reinvest  the 
income  thereof  for  a  period  of  two  years  after  my 
death.  At  the  expiration  of  said  two  years  they  shall 
organize  and  endow  a  free  public  library  for  the  use 
of  the  people  of  Galveston,  together  with  free  lec- 
tures upon  practical  literary  and  scientific  subjects, 
and  such  other  incidents  to  a  great  public  library  as 
may  be  most  conducive  to  the  improvement,  instruc- 
tion, and  elevation  of  the  citizens  of  Galveston;  and 
for  this  purpose  they  shall  cause  an  association  to  be 
chartered  with  such  trustees  and  directors  as  they  may 
deem  expedient,  under  such  rules  and  regulations  as 
will  best  carry  out  this  devise. 

"In  making  this  bequest,  I  desire  to  express  in  a 
practical  form  my  affection  for  the  city  of  my  adop- 
tion and  for  the  people  among  whom  I  have  lived  for 
so  many  years,  trusting  that  it  will  aid  their  intellec- 
tual and  moral  development,  and  be  a  source  of  plea- 
sure and  profit  to  them  and  their  children,  and  their 
children's  children,  through  many  generations." 

C'4'3 


ARTICLES  OF  INCORPORATION 
OF  THE 

ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 

WHEREAS,  HENRY  ROSENBERG,  late  of  the 
County  of  Galveston,  has  died,  leaving  a  will 
which  has  been  duly  probated  and  recorded  in  the 
County  Court  of  Galveston  County,  by  the  terms  of 
which  he  constituted  A.  J.  Walker  and  William  J. 
Frederich  independent  executors  without  bond,  giv- 
ing to  the  survivor  in  case  of  death  of  the  other  full 
powers  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  said  will;  and, 

Whereas,  Since  the  probate  of  said  will  and  his 
qualification  as  executor  thereunder  the  said  Wil- 
liam J.  Frederich  has  died,  leaving  the  said  A.  J. 
Walker  sole  surviving  executor;  and, 

Whereas,  Further,  by  virtue  of  the  provisions  of 
the  twenty-first  clause  of  the  said  will  of  the  said 
HENRY  ROSENBERG,  his  executors  are  charged  with 
the  duty  of  causing  an  association  to  be  chartered, 
with  such  Trustees  and  Directors  as  they  may  deem 
expedient,  as  will  best  carry  out  the  bequest  for  or- 
ganizing and  endowing  a  free  Public  Library,  for 
the  use  of  the  People  of  Galveston ; 

Now,  Therefore,  Know  All  Men  by  these  Pres- 
ents, That  I,  A.  J.  Walker,  sole  surviving  executor  of 

C'43] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

the  last  will  of  HENRY  ROSENBERG,  deceased,  and 
J.  P.  Alvey  and  I.  Lovenberg,  who  are  acting  with 
the  said  executor  and  at  his  request,  all  of  whom  are 
citizens  of  the  City  and  County  of  Galveston,  in  the 
State  of  Texas,  and  property  taxpayers  therein,  do 
certify  that  we  do,  under  and  by  virtue  of  the  general 
laws  of  the  State  of  Texas  authorizing  the  formation 
of  corporations,  hereby  form  a  corporation  under  the 
name  of  the  "ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION"  and 
adopt  the  following  articles  of  incorporation : 

1.  The  name  of  the  corporation  shall  be  the  ROSEN- 
BERG LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

2.  A.  J.  Walker,  M.  E.  Kleberg,  W.  T.  Austin, 
John  Sealy,  J.  P.  Alvey,  I.  Lovenberg,  H.  A.  Landes, 
M.  F.  Mott,  M.  R.  Macgill  Rosenberg,  W.  T.  Arm- 
strong, J.  F.  Smith,  Charles  Fowler,  J.  D.  Rogers, 
J.   C.   League,   F.   L.   Lee,   Geo.   D.   Briggs,  John 
Goggan,  T.  W.  Dealey,  Clarence  Ousley  and  C.  L. 
Beissner  are  hereby  created  and  constituted  trustees 
of  said  corporation.     They  shall  hold  membership 
for  life,  unless  the  same  be  sooner  terminated  by 
resignation  or  removal  from  the  City  of  Galveston, 
where  they  are  required  to  reside.    In  case  of  a  va- 
cancy from  death,  resignation,  removal  from  the  city, 
or  from  other  cause,  the  remaining  Trustees  shall  fill 
such  vacancy.     The  number  of  Trustees  shall  be 
twenty,   which   number  shall   not  be   increased  or 
diminished,  and  they  shall  be  resident  citizens  of  the 
City  of  Galveston,  and  property  taxpayers  therein. 

C'443 


THE  CHARTER 

The  Trustees  designated  in  this  charter,  and  their 
successors  in  office,  in  rilling  vacancies  are  requested 
to  select  men  only  of  standing,  reputation  and  ability, 
who  will  preserve  the  corporation  from  all  political 
or  personal  favoritism  and  from  all  sectarianism,  and 
shall  administer  the  affairs  thereof  purely  and  solely 
for  the  general  public  good. 

3.  The  Trustees  provided  in  Article  2,  and  their 
successors  in  office,  shall  elect  annually  the  Board  of 
Directors  hereinafter  provided  for,  and  shall  fill  all 
vacancies  in  their  own  body  so  as  to  keep  their  mem- 
bership up  to  the  required  number;  they  shall  have 
power  from  time  to  time  to  make  needful  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  management  of  the  corporation; 
to  settle  any  differences  which  may  arise  among  the 
Directors;  to  instruct  the  Directors  as  to  the  general 
policy  of  the  corporation;  to  see  that  the  funds  are 
properly  invested   by  the   Directors,   the   revenues 
thereof  collected  and  properly  applied;  to  renew  this 
charter  at  the  expiration  of  its  limit,  and  from  time 
to  time  thereafter  to  renew  and  extend  the  same  under 
the  then  existing  laws;  and  generally  to  have  super- 
vision and  control  over  the  business  and  affairs  of  the 
Association,  to  the  end  that  the  bequest  of  HENRY 
ROSENBERG  shall  be  properly  administered.     The 
Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  self-perpetuating,  and  the 
members  thereof  shall  not  be  selected  in  any  other 
mode  than  that  prescribed  in  Article  2. 

4.  The  purpose  for  which  said  Association  is  or- 

CHS  3 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

ganized  is  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  twenty- 
first  clause  of  the  will  of  the  said  HENRY  ROSENBERG, 
which  is  as  follows : 

Twenty-first — All  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  estate  of 
which  I  shall  die  seized  or  possessed,  or  to  which  I  shall 
be  entitled  at  the  time  of  my  decease,  I  give  to  my  said 
executors  in  trust  for  the  purpose  following:  They  shall 
preserve  and  maintain  the  same  and  reinvest  the  income 
thereof  for  a  period  of  two  years  after  my  death.  At  the 
expiration  of  said  two  years  they  shall  organize  and  en- 
dow a  free  public  library  for  the  use  of  the  people  of 
Galveston,  together  with  free  lectures  upon  practical  liter- 
ary and  scientific  subjects,  and  such  other  incidents  to  a 
great  public  library  as  may  be  most  conducive  to  the  im- 
provement, instruction  and  elevation  of  the  citizens  of 
Galveston;  and  for  this  purpose  they  shall  cause  an  asso- 
ciation to  be  chartered  with  such  trustees  and  directors  as 
they  may  deem  expedient,  under  such  rules  and  regulations 
as  will  best  carry  out  this  devise.  In  making  this  bequest, 
I  desire  to  express  in  practical  form  my  affection  for  the 
city  of  my  adoption  and  for  the  people  among  whom  I 
have  lived  for  so  many  years,  trusting  that  it  will  aid  their 
intellectual  and  moral  development,  and  be  a  source  of 
pleasure  and  profit  to  them  and  their  children,  and  their 
children's  children,  through  many  generations. 

5.  The  corporate  powers  of  said  Association  shall 
be  vested  in  a  board  of  seven  directors,  who  shall  be 
members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Association, 
and  who  shall  be  elected  annually  by  the  Trustees  out 
of  their  own  number  at  such  time  and  place  as  the 


THE  CHARTER 

By-Laws  of  the  Association  may  direct.  The  follow- 
ing named,  all  of  whom  are  resident  citizens  of  the 
City  of  Galveston,  in  the  State  of  Texas,  and  property 
taxpayers  therein,  shall  be  directors  for  the  first  year, 
to  wit:  A.  J.  Walker,  John  Sealy,  J.  P.  Alvey,  I.  Lov- 
enberg,  H.  A.  Landes,  W.  T.  Austin  and  M.  F.  Mott. 

6.  The  business  of  said  Association  shall  be  trans- 
acted in  the  City  of  Galveston,  in  the  County  of  Gal- 
veston, in  the  State  of  Texas,  where  its  principal  office 
shall  be. 

7.  This  being  an  association  organized  for  the  pur- 
pose of  administering  a  charitable  bequest,  it  has  no 
stock.  The  estimated  value  of  its  property  is  five  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  ($500,000). 

8.  The  term  of  the  existence  of  this  corporation  is 
fifty  years,  with  power  to  extend  the  same  from  time 
to  time  thereafter  under  the  laws  then  existing  so  as 
to  perpetuate  the  same  and  carry  out  the  objects  of 
said  bequest. 

A.  J.  WALKER. 

I.  LOVENBERG. 

J.  P.  ALVEY. 

THE  STATE  OF  TEXAS, 
COUNTY  OF  GALVESTON. 

Before  me,  John  Adriance,  a  notary  public  in  and 
for  the  said  State  and  County,  on  this  day  personally 
appeared  A.  J.  Walker,  J.  P.  Alvey  and  I.  Loven- 
berg,  known  to  me  to  be  the  persons  whose  names  are 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

subscribed  to  the  foregoing  instrument,  and  acknow- 
ledged to  me  that  they  executed  the  same  for  the  pur- 
poses and  consideration  therein  expressed. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  of  office  this  $th  day 
of  July,  A.D.  1900. 
[SEAL.]  JOHN  ADRIANCE, 

Notary  Public  for  Galveston  County,  Texas. 

Filed  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  this 
loth  day  of  July,  1900. 

GEO.  T.  KEEBLE, 

Chief  Clerk,  Acting  Secretary  of  State. 


Capt.  JAMES  P.  ALVEY,  Treasure!'      Col.  MARCUS  F.  MOTT,  Vice-President          ISIDORE  LOVENBERG,  Secretary 
HENRV  A.  LANDES  Major  A.  J.  WALKER,  President  WILLIAM  T.  AUSTIN 

JOHN  SEALV 


THE  ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS 
1900-1904 


PLATE  No.  31 


TRUSTEES  AND  DIRECTORS 


THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  1900-1903 


Major  A.  J.  WALKER 
MARCELLUS  E.  KLEBERG 
WILLIAM  T.  AUSTIN 
JOHN  SEALY 
Capt.  JAMES  P.  ALVEY 
ISIDORE  LOVENBERG 
HENRY  A.  LANDES 
Col.  MARCUS  F.  MOTT 
Mrs.  M.  R.  MACGILL 
ROSENBERG 

CHARLES 


WILLIAM  T.  ARMSTRONG 
JOHN  F.  SMITH 
CHARLES  FOWLER 
JOHN  D.  ROGERS 
JOHN  C.  LEAGUE 
FRANCIS  L.  LEE 
GEORGE  D.  BRIGGS 
JOHN  GOGGAN 
THOMAS  W.  DEALEY 
CLARENCE  OUSLEY 
L.  BEISSNER 


THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS,  1900-1904 

Major  A.  J.  WALKER,  President 
Col.  MARCUS  F.  MOTT,  Vice-President 

ISIDORE  LOVENBERG,  Secretary 

Capt.  JAMES  P.  ALVEY,  Treasurer 

JOHN  SEALY  WILLIAM  T.  AUSTIN 

HENRY  A.  LANDES 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 


THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  1918 


JOHN  SEALY 

WILLIAM  T.  ARMSTRONG 

JOHN  F.  SMITH 

CHARLES  FOWLER 

GEORGE  D.  BRIGGS 

HENRY  P.  COOKE 

Mrs.  CORNELIA  BRANCH  STONE 

R.  WAVERLEY  SMITH 

WILLIAM  R.  A.  ROGERS 

BALLINGER  MILLS 


JOHN  W.  HOPKINS 
Louis  A.  ADOUE 
WATERS  S.  DAVIS 
EDWARD  RANDALL 
ROBERT  G.  STREET 
WILLIAM  S.  CARTER 
J.  WHARTON  TERRY 
HERMAN  O.  STEIN 
GEORGE  SEALY 
FRANK  C.  PATTEN 


THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS,  1918 

JOHN  SEALY,  President 

R.  WAVERLEY  SMITH,  Vice-President 

BALLINGER  MILLS,  Secretary 

HERMAN  O.  STEIN,  Treasurer 

WILLIAM  T.  ARMSTRONG  WILLIAM  R.  A.  ROGERS 

EDWARD  RANDALL 

LIBRARIAN,  1903  TO  DATE 
FRANK  C.  PATTEN 


TRUSTEES  AND  DIRECTORS 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES,  1900-1918 

A  COMPLETE  LIST  SHOWING  THE  YEARS 
OF  SERVICE  OF  EACH 


Major  A.  J.  Walker1    .      . 
Marcellus  E.  Kleberg1 
William  T.  Austin1      .      . 

John  Sealy 

Capt.  James  P.  Alvey1 
Isidore  Lovenberg1 
Henry  A.  Landes2  . 
Col.  Marcus  F.  Mott1  .      . 
Mrs.  M.  R.  Macgill 

Rosenberg1     . 
William  T.  Armstrong 
John  F.  Smith    .... 
Charles  Fowler 
John  D.  Rogers1 
John  C.  League1 
Francis  L.  Lee1 
George  D.  Briggs    . 
John  Goggan1    .... 
Thomas  W.  Dealey2     . 
Clarence  Ousley2     . 
Charles  L.  Beissner1     . 
Thomas  J.  Groce1  . 
Henry  P.  Cooke,  M.D.      . 

1  Deceased.     2  Removed 


1900-1904 

1900-1913 

1900-1905 

1900- 

1900-1916 

1900-1917 

1900-1912 

1900-1906 

1900-1917 
1900- 
1900- 
1900- 
1900-1908 
1900-1916 
1900-1914 
1900- 
1900-1908 
1900-1906 
1900-1903 
1900-1912 
1905-1911 
.  1905- 

from  city. 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Mrs.  Cornelia  Branch  Stone   .  1906- 

R.  Waverley  Smith       .      .      .  1906- 

Charles  P.  Macgill1    .      .      .  1907-1915 

William  R.  A.  Rogers  .      .      .  1909- 

Ballinger  Mills       ....  1909- 

John  W.  Hopkins   ....  1912- 

Louis  A.  Adoue      .      .      .      .  1912- 

Waters  S.  Davis      .      .      .      .  1913- 

Edward  Randall,  M.D.     .      .  1914- 

Judge  Robert  G.  Street      .      .  1915- 

William  S.  Carter,  M.D.   .      .  1916- 

J.  Wharton  Terry   ....  1916- 

Herman  O.  Stein    .      .      .      .  1917- 

George  Sealy 1918- 

Frank  C.  Patten      .      .      .      .  1918- 

1  Removed  from  city. 


TRUSTEES  AND  DIRECTORS 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS,  1900-1918 
Major  A.  J.  Walker     .      .      .      1900-1904 

President  1900-1904 
(Died  Nov.  29,  1904) 

Col.  Marcus  F.  Mott    .      .      .      1900-1906 

Vice-President  1900-1904 
President  1904-1906 
(Died  Nov.  18,  1906) 

John  Sealy 1900- 

Vice-President  1904-1906 
President  1906- 

Isidore  Lovenberg  ....      1900-1917 

Secretary  1900-1917 
(Died  Oct.  7,  1917) 

Capt.  James  P.  Alvey  .      .      .      1900-1916 

Treasurer  1900-1916 
(Died  Dec.  21,  1916) 

William  T.  Austin  .      .      .      .      1900-1905 

(Died  Nov.  6,  1905) 

Henry  A.  Landes    ....      1900-1912 

(Removed  from  city) 

Francis  L.  Lee 1904-1914 

Vice-President  1906-1914 
(Died  June  9,  1914) 

William  T.  Armstrong  .  .  1905- 
R.  Waverley  Smith  .  .  .  1906- 

Vice-President  1915- 

William  R.  A.  Rogers  .  .  .  1912- 
Edward  Randall,  M.D.  .  .  1914- 
Herman  O.  Stein  .  .  .  .  1917- 

Treasurer  1917- 

Ballinger  Mills       ....      1917- 

Secretary  1917- 

D533 


ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 

General  Financial  Statement 

THE  corporate  powers  of  the  Rosenberg  Library 
Association,  which  is  composed  of  twenty  trustees,  are 
vested  by  charter  in  a  board  of  seven  Directors  who 
are  Trustees  of  the  Association.  The  first  Rosenberg 
Library  Board  of  Directors  was  organized  and 
elected  officers  on  October  17,  1900.  It  consisted  of 
the  following  persons:  Major  A.  J.  WALKER,  Presi- 
dent; Colonel  MARCUS  F.  MOTT,  Vice-President; 
Captain  JAMES  P.  ALVEY,  Treasurer;  ISIDORE  Lov- 
ENBERG,  Secretary;  JOHN  SEALY;  WILLIAM  T. 
AUSTIN;  HENRY  A.  LANDES. 

In  February,  1901,  the  residuum  of  the  Henry 
Rosenberg  estate,  valued  as  per  inventory  at  $620,- 
529.69,  was  turned  over  to  the  above  Board  by  Major 
A.  J.  Walker,  the  sole  surviving  executor.  (Of  this 
amount  $51,720  was  not  actually  transferred  until 
later,  and  appears  in  the  Treasurer's  account  under 
date  of  December  14,  1904.)  The  Board  then  pur- 
chased a  site  and  erected  a  library  building,  and  also 
erected  a  branch  library  building  for  colored  people 
(an  addition  to  the  high  school  building  for  colored 
people).  The  library  site,  buildings,  furniture,  and 
books  were  paid  for  out  of  the  funds  received  from 
the  executor.  The  endowment  fund  has  been  in- 

[155:1 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

creased  from  time  to  time  from  the  profits  on  stocks 
and  real  estate  and  from  unused  income.  In  the  fol- 
lowing table  the  income  shown  has  been  derived 
from  interest  on  bonds  and  notes,  dividends  on  stocks, 
and  from  rents.  The  expenditures  shown  are  those 
for  library  purposes  only  and  include  payments  for 
books,  current  periodicals,  binding,  heating,  light- 
ing, insurance,  printing,  stationery,  supplies,  furni- 
ture, repairs,  miscellaneous  library  expenses,  lectures, 
and  salaries  of  library  staff,  janitors,  gardener,  and 
clerks. 


INCOME  AND  EXPENDITURES 


Library  Income  and  Expenditures 
from  February,  1901,  to  December,  1917 


Year 

Income 

Expenditures 

1901-1904 

.     $87,881.38        . 

.    $27,059.17 

1905       . 

22,104.26 

18,874.64 

1906 

.        23,015.75        . 

18,676.04 

1907       . 

24,051.06 

.        20,395.58 

1908 

•        25,527.50       . 

•        I7J572.54 

1909       . 

26,119.02 

21,680.82 

I9IO 

27,282.00 

2I,9OO.II 

I9II 

.        28,774.40       . 

21,027.48 

1912 

28,400.30 

22,068.80 

1913       • 

.        29,925.14       . 

•        23,043.45 

1914       . 

.       31,017.84       . 

•        23,475.05 

1915       . 

•       30.9I7-73        • 

•        23,113.26 

1916 

•        29,159.43        . 

.        26,440.39 

1917       . 

.        29,207.97        . 

25,118.69 

C'S7] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 


Library  Income  and  Expenditures  for  the 
year  ending  December  31,  1917 

Income  from  interest,  dividends,  and  rents  .    $29,207.97 
Expenditures : 

Books $2,961.79 

Current  periodicals      .      .  743.94 

Binding 645.81 

Maintenance  —  Heating, 
lighting,  insurance,  print- 
ing, stationery,  supplies, 

repairs,  etc 5,623.43 

Salaries  of  library  staff, 
janitors,  gardener,  and 

clerks 13,227.72 

Lectures 1,916.00 


Total  library  expenditures.  $25,118.69 


£158] 


ASSETS 


Assets:  The  Library  Endowment  Fund,  January  I,  igi8 

Bonds : 

Galveston  City  limited 

debt,  5%  .  .  .  .  $3,000.00 

Galveston  City  grade-rais- 
ing, 5%  ....  42,000.00 

Galveston  City  municipal 

building,  $%  ...  40,000.00 

Galveston  City  sewer,  5%  .      24,000.00 

Galveston  County  sea-wall, 

4% 52,700.00 

Galveston  Wharf  Co.  regis- 
tered, 6%  ....  42,000.00 

Galveston  Wharf  Co.  regis- 
tered (50-year),  $%  .  151,000.00 

Galveston  Wharf  Co.  regis- 
tered (25-year),  5%  .  33,000.00 

California  State,  4%    .      .      10,000.00 

New  York  City  registered, 

4% 25,000.00 

New  York  State  regis- 
tered, 4%  ....  5,000.00 

United  States  Liberty 

Loan,  4%  ....  17,500.00 

Mallory  Steamship  Co.,  5%      19,000.00 

Brooklyn  Elevated  R.R. 

Co.,  $%  ....  15,000.00 

Chicago,  Burlington  & 

Quincy  R.R.  Co.,  4%  .  6,000.00 

[1593 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Chicago,      Burlington      & 

Quincy  R.R.Co.  reg.,  4%      1 5,000.00 
Fort  Worth  &  Denver  R.R. 

Co.,  6%  ....          15,000.00 
Southern  Pacific  R.R.  Co., 

4% 16,000.00 

Wichita  Falls  &  Northwest- 
ern R.R.  Co.,  5%       .      .      5,000.00 
Stocks:  -$536,200.00 

Galveston  Wharf  Co.,  717 

shares  at  $90      .      .      .    $64,530.00 
American  Power  &  Light 

Co.,  47  shares    .      .      .        4,700.00 
Southern  Cotton  Compress 
and     Mfg.     Co.,     568 
shares,    less    liquidating 
dividends  30%  .      .      .        3,976.00 
Bills  receivable:  73>2o6.oo 

Vendor's  lien  notes,  7%     .         $350.00 
Vendor's  lien  notes,  6%     .        2,000.00 
Real  estate:  2,350.00 

Lanier  property,  24th  St.  and 

Ave.  I $14,912.73 

^ots  i  and  2  in  block  260, 

2  ist  St.  and  Ave.  H        .        9,110.80 

24,023.53 

Cash  on  hand .        2,866.54 

Total  library  endowment  fund     .      .      .       .$638,646.07 

1  Property  owned  but  not  here  included,  because  outside  of  sea- 
wall :  lots  3  to  1 4  in  block  365 ;  lots  I  to  4  and  8  to  1 4  in  block 
601 ;  lots  I  to  7  in  block  602. 

[160] 


ASSETS 

Assets:  Property  used  for  Library  Purposes, 

January  if  igi8 
Main  Library: 

Site,  1 20  x  214 

feet       .      .   $19,193.00 
Building,   87  x 

134  feet      .    153,968.69 
Furniture   and 

fixtures        .      26,452.88 
Books       .      .      58,238.70 

-$257,853.27 
Branch  Library  for  Colored 

People : 

Building   .      .      $3,587.35 
Furniture   and 

fixtures        .  257.56 

Books       .      .        2,233.57 

6,078.48 


Total  property  used  for  library  purposes         $263,93 1.75 


Assets:  Summary,  January  I,  1918 

The  library  endowment  fund       .       .      .      .$638,646.07 
Property  used  for  library  purposes  .       .      .    263,931.75 


Total  assets  of  Rosenberg  Library  Asso- 
ciation        $902.577.82 


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LAYING  THE  CORNER-STONE  OF 
ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

THE  corner-stone  of  the  Rosenberg  Library  was  laid 
on  Saturday,  October  18,  1902,  by  the  Most  Worship- 
ful Grand  Lodge  of  Texas,  A.F.  and  A.M.,  Marcus 
F.  Mott,  P.G.M.,  acting  as  Grand  Master.  The  Ma- 
sonic bodies  gathered  at  the  Masonic  Temple  at  three 
o'clock  and  marched  in  procession  organized  by 
Grand  Marshal  James  J.  Davis  to  the  library  site. 
Tiedemann's  band  headed  the  procession,  which  was 
escorted  by  San  Felipe  de  Austin  Commandery  No. 
i,  Knights  Templar. 

On  the  platform  were  seated  Mrs.  Rosenberg  and 
her  immediate  friends  and  family,  the  officers  and 
trustees  of  the  Rosenberg  Library  Association,  the 
City  Commissioners,  the  County  Commissioners,  and 
other  prominent  officials  and  citizens.  About  twelve 
hundred  people,  standing  within  the  enclosure  or  on 
the  streets,  witnessed  the  ceremony.  Immediately 
around  the  corner-stone  were  assembled  the  Knights 
Templar  and  the  Blue  Lodge  Masons. 

Music  by  the  band  introduced  the  program.  The 
Masonic  ceremony  of  Laying  the  Foundation  Stone 
followed.  The  Masonic  invocation  was  by  Rev.  John 
K.  Black,  of  Grace  Church,  who  officiated  as  Grand 
Chaplain.  The  following  were  the  Grand  Officers 

[163  ] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

of  the  M.  W.  Grand  Lodge  of  Texas,  acting  for  the 
occasion : 

R.  W.  MARCUS  F.  MOTT      .  .      .       Grand  Master 

W.  FRANK  M.  WALKER  Deputy  Grand  Master 

W.  EDWARD  C.  PITKIN    .  Grand  Senior  Warden 

W.  BEN  C.  HILL       .      .  Grand  Junior  Warden 

W.  ISIDORE  LOVENBERG  .  .        Grand  Treasurer 

W.  LEOPOLD  WEISS  .  .  .  Grand  Secretary 
W.  JOHN  K.  BLACK  ....  Grand  Chaplain 

W.  JAMES  B.  STUBBS  .  .  .  Grand  Orator 
R.  W.  JAMES  J.  DAVIS,  D.  D.  G.  M.  Grand  Marshal 
W.  ROWLAND  P.  ALLEN  Grand  Senior  Deacon 
W.  JAMES  M.  FENDLEY  .  Grand  Junior  Deacon 
W.  DOMINIC  D.  MCDONALD 

Grand  Senior  Steward 

W.  JOHN  HANNA  .  .  Grand  Junior  Steward 
W.  HENRY  C.  OPPERMANN  .  Grand  Pursuivant 
Bro.  WILLIAM  R.  EATON  .  .  .  Grand  Tiler 

During  the  Masonic  ceremony  a  few  grains  of 
wheat  (symbolic  of  resurrection),  a  few  drops  of 
wine  (symbolic  of  cheerfulness  and  joy),  a  few  drops 
of  oil  (symbolic  of  prosperity  and  happiness),  and  a 
few  grains  of  salt  (symbolic  of  hospitality  and  fidel- 
ity), were  deposited  in  a  receptacle  in  the  corner- 
stone. After  the  oration  by  James  B.  Stubbs,  Grand 
Orator  of  the  occasion,  a  Masonic  ode  was  sung  to 
the  tune  of  "Auld  Lang  Syne."  The  ceremonies 
came  to  an  end  with  a  prayer  and  benediction  by 
Rev.  W.  H.  Cooper. 

[1643 


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ARTICLES  DEPOSITED  IN  THE  CORNER- 
STONE OF  ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

Copy  of  the  will  of  Henry  Rosenberg. 

Certified  copy  of  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  the 

Rosenberg  Library  Association. 
Photographs  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Rosenberg. 
Copy  of  the  ordinance  regarding  the  construction  of 

the  Galveston  sea-wall. 

Copy  of  the  Galveston  News  of  October  18,  1902. 
Copy  of  the  Opera  Glass  of  October  18,  1902. 
Copy  of  the  Galveston  Tribune  of  October  17,  1902. 
Map  of  the  City  of  Galveston  contained  in  the  Opera 

Glass  of  August  4,  1886. 

Printed  copy  of  the  Ceremony  to  be  Observed  at 
Laying  the  Foundation  Stone  of  the  Rosenberg 
Library. 

The  Masonic  symbols,  wheat,  wine,  oil,  and  salt. 
Clippings  from  the  following  newspapers  sent  by 
Mrs.  Mollie  R.  Macgill  Rosenberg: 

Galveston  News,  Sunday,  July  i,  1888 — The 
corner-stone  laid  of  the  Henry  Rosenberg  free 
school. 

Richmond  (Va.)  Dispatch,  November  14,  1889 
— Marriage  of  Henry  Rosenberg  and  Mollie 
R.  Macgill  in  Grace  Protestant  Episcopal 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Church  by  Rev.  Hartley  Carmichael  of  St. 
Paul's  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  assisted 
by  Rev.  H.  M.  Jackson  of  Grace  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church. 

Galveston  News,  Saturday,  May  13,  1893 — Mr. 
Rosenberg's  death;  editorial  on  the  death  of 
Henry  Rosenberg. 

Galveston  News,  Sunday,  May  14,  1893 — Mr. 
Rosenberg's  funeral;  the  remains  to  lie  in 
state  in  the  Rosenberg  free  school. 

Galveston  News,  Monday,  May  15,  1893 — The 
floral  offerings;  the  funeral  ceremonies  over 
Henry  Rosenberg  at  the  Rosenberg  free  school 
and  Grace  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 

Galveston  News,  Tuesday,  May  16,  1893 — Trib- 
ute to  Mr.  Rosenberg;  resolutions  adopted  by 
the  vestry  and  congregation  of  Grace  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church. 

Galveston  News,  Wednesday,  May  17,  1893— 
Action  of  the  schools;  tributes  to  the  memory 
of  the  late  Mr.  Rosenberg. 

Galveston  News,  Sunday,  May  21,  1893 — A 
city's  tribute;  gratitude  and  praise  to  Henry 
Rosenberg;  his  name  on  every  lip ;  etc. 

Galveston  News,  Thursday,  May  25,  1893 — The 
City  Council's  action;  eloquent  resolutions  to 
the  memory  of  Henry  Rosenberg. 

Galveston  News,  Wednesday,  May  31,  1893— 
People's  tribute;  Galveston's  citizens  honor 

CI66H 


ARTICLES  IN  CORNER-STONE 

the  name  of  Henry  Rosenberg;  mammoth 
mass  meeting. 

Baltimore  (Md.)  Sun,  June  i,  1893 — Burial  of 
the  Texas  philanthropist,  Henry  Rosenberg, 
in  Loudon  Park  Cemetery. 

Galveston  News,  Friday,  February  15,  1895 — 
Beautiful  snow;  it  fills  the  air  and  the  earth 
below;  business  suspended;  etc. 

Galveston  News,  Sunday,  January  5,  1896 — 
Rosenberg,  poem  by  T.  Talbot. 

Richmond  (Va.)  Times,  July  12,  1898 — A  pub- 
lic benefactor;  Frank  Leslie's  dwells  on  the 
philanthropy  of  the  late  Henry  Rosenberg. 

Hagerstown  (Md.)  Daily  Mail,  Monday,  April 
24,  1899 — To  blessed  memories  are  splendid 
donations  placed  in  St.  John's  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  by  Mrs.  Mollie  R.  Macgill 
Rosenberg,  in  memory  of  her  husband,  Mrs. 
Letitia  Rosenberg,  her  parents,  her  sisters, 
brothers,  and  grandparents. 

Galveston  News,  April  22,  1901,  and  the  Satur- 
day Review,  April  20,  1901 — Mrs.  Mollie  R. 
Macgill  Rosenberg's  gift  to  Veuve  Jefferson 
Davis  Chapter  No.  17,  U.D.C. 

All  of  the  above  clippings  are  wrapped  in  a  letter 
received  by  Mrs.  Rosenberg  from  Governor  Joseph 
D.  Sayers,  April  14,  1900,  and  placed  in  an  official 
envelope  of  Veuve  Jefferson  Davis  Chapter  No.  17, 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

U.D.C.,  with  an  official  sheet  of  paper  of  the  general 
association  of  the  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy,  of 
which  association  Mrs.  Mollie  R.  Macgill  Rosenberg 
is  first  vice-president.  In  the  envelope  is  also  a  Jef- 
ferson Davis  monument  fund  subscribing  member's 
button. 


C'68] 


ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 
Galveston,  Texas,  in  1906 

Northwest   Corner  Tremont  Street  and  Sealy  Avenue 
Building  dedicated  June  22,   1904 
Size,  87  x  134  feet;  cost,  $155,000 


PLATE  No.  34 


THE  Rosenberg  Library  was  dedicated  on  Wednes- 
day, June  22,  1904,  the  birthday  of  the  founder.  The 
whole  building  was  finely  decorated  with  palms, 
ferns,  flowers,  and  the  flags  of  the  United  States,  of 
Texas,  and  of  Switzerland,  Mr.  Rosenberg's  native 
country.  A  large  portrait  of  Mr.  Rosenberg  occu- 
pied the  place  of  honor  in  the  spacious  corridor  in 
the  centre  of  the  main  floor.  The  building  was  open 
for  inspection  during  the  afternoon,  and  many  came 
to  see  and  admire  the  new  Library,  for  Galveston 
was  congratulating  herself  upon  now  possessing  a 
beautiful  and  dignified  library  building,  one  of  the 
largest  and  finest  in  all  the  South.  And  Galveston 
was  very  proud  that  this  splendid  gift  was  from  one 
of  her  own  citizens,  and  she  was  very  proud  and 
grateful  that  this  last  and  largest  bequest  of  Henry 
Rosenberg  had  enabled  the  wise  and  faithful  execu- 
tor, Major  A.  J.  Walker,  and  the  Board  of  Directors 
thus  to  establish  an  institution  with  a  large  endow- 
ment that  might  sometime  develop  into  one  of  the 
most  important  libraries  of  the  South.  The  people 
of  Galveston  had  looked  forward  for  years  with  high 
hopes  to  this  day  when  their  new  Free  Public  Library 
should  be  fully  established  and  thrown  open  for  pub- 

C.I69] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

lie  use.  For  the  evening  exercises  at  eight  o'clock  a 
large  and  representative  intellectual  audience  assem- 
bled in  the  library  lecture  hall  on  the  second  floor 
for  the  program  in  celebration  of  this  great  event  in 
the  life  of  Galveston.  Mr.  Henry  F.  Dickson,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Carnegie  Library  of  Houston,  and  other 
trustees  of  that  library  and  the  librarian,  were  pres- 
ent at  the  celebration  in  the  lecture  hall  and  the  re- 
ception which  followed.  William  M.  Prather,  Presi- 
dent of  the  University  of  Texas,  was  expected  to  de- 
liver an  address,  but  was  at  the  last  moment  prevented 
from  coming,  much  to  the  regret  of  all. 


PROGRAM 
BALLET  EGYPTIEN Luigini 

St.  Cecilia  Orchestra 

ADDRESS Vice-President  M.  F.  Mott 

(a)  "How  SWEET  THE  MOONLIGHT"     .      .      .  Calcott 

(b)  DAFFODIL King  Hal 

Sextet  from  the  Ladies'  Musical  Club 

ADDRESS Hon.  M.  E.  Kleberg 

LARGO Handel 

St.  Cecilia  Orchestra 

ADDRESS Hon.  Arthur  Lefevre 

State  Superintendent  of  Public  Education 

HABERINA Redla 

•  St.  Cecilia  Orchestra 

£170] 


DEDICATION  OF  LIBRARY 

On  the  Reception  Committee  were  the  following: 

W.  R.  A.  ROGERS,  Chairman 
R.  WAVERLEY  SMITH  CHARLES  FOWLER 

Dr.  EDWARD  RANDALL  J.  H.  HILL 

SEALY  HUTCHINGS  H.  A.  GRIFFIN 

Judge  LEWIS  FISHER  I.  H.  KEMPNER 

Major  A.  J.  Walker,  President  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  presided  at  the  dedication  exercises. 
Colonel  M.  F.  Mott,  Vice-President,  reviewed  the 
work  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  gave  a  brief 
sketch  of  the  life  of  Henry  Rosenberg.  He  paid  a 
tribute  to  Galveston's  other  benefactors,  mentioning 
George  Ball,  John  Sealy,  and  others.  He  spoke  of 
the  good  and  careful  work  of  the  contractor,  Harry 
Devlin,  in  the  erection  of  the  building.  And  he  made 
special  mention  of  the  faithful  stewardship  of  the 
Rosenberg  Fund  rendered  by  Major  Walker,  the 
executor  of  the  Rosenberg  Estate,  under  whose  skil- 
ful, conscientious,  and  public-spirited  management 
during  eleven  years  the  fund  had  greatly  increased, 
thus  making  possible  the  present  splendid  library 
prospects.  It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  Colonel 
Mott's  fine  address  was  never  written  out. 


ADDRESS  AT  THE  DEDICATION  OF 
ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

BY  HON.  MARCELLUS  E.  KLEBERG 

A  TRUE  and  sympathetic  appreciation  of  a  function 
fraught  with  so  much  benefit  and  benevolence  to  the 
people  of  this  community  as  the  opening  and  dedi- 
cation of  this  Library  requires  of  those  who  partici- 
pate in  its  ceremonies  an  effort  akin  to  its  lofty  dig- 
nity. I  am  painfully  conscious  of  my  deficiency  in 
this  respect — a  deficiency  which  is  multiplied  by  lack 
of  opportunity  for  deliberate  reflection  and  careful 
preparation  by  reason  of  the  many  pressing  and 
incessant  engagements  upon  my  time  and  leisure.  In 
the  outset,  therefore,  I  solicit  your  generous  indul- 
gence. 

The  completion  of  this  Library  and  its  dedication 
to  the  public  mark  an  epoch  in  the  educational  prog- 
ress of  this  city.  For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
our  city  there  is  offered  to  the  public,  without  fee  or 
price,  the  invaluable  aid  which  a  public  library 
affords  to  a  high  and  liberal  self-culture.  I  know  of 
no  institution  outside  of  a  good  system  of  public 
schools  that  contributes  so  largely  to  the  general  cul- 
ture of  a  community  as  a  carefully  furnished  and 
regulated  library.  In  our  country  religious  training 
must  ever  find  its  stronghold  in  the  church  and  fam- 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

ily,  but  mental  training  has  its  beginning  in  the 
schools,  colleges,  and  universities,  and  finds  its  most 
ample  opportunities  for  enlargement  afforded  by  the 
public  library. 

The  great  influence  of  public  libraries  upon  the 
progress  and  civilization  of  mankind  was  recognized 
by  the  polite  and  virile  nations  of  antiquity,  and  the 
barbarous  fate  of  the  great  Alexandrian  Library  and 
those  of  imperial  Rome  will  always  evoke  the  invol- 
untary sigh  of  scholar  and  statesman.  During  the 
long  intellectual  night  which  followed  the  subversion 
of  Greek  and  Roman  civilization,  and  which  pre- 
vailed during  the  period  of  the  Middle  Ages,  the 
great  treasures  of  ancient  learning,  in  so  far  as  they 
escaped  the  ravages  of  time  and  torch,  were  pre- 
served to  us  by  monk  and  priest  in  monastery  and 
cloister.  Within  the  walls  of  these  sacred  asylums 
the  lamp  of  learning  continued  to  burn  with  a  steady 
light,  and  books  and  manuscripts  which  had  escaped 
destruction  were  not  only  carefully  preserved,  but 
were  so  amply  multiplied  by  transcription  as  to  be 
placed  beyond  the  peril  of  loss  or  extinction  for  all 
time. 

The  mighty  influence  of  the  library  upon  the  de- 
velopment of  the  people  in  every  field  of  human 
endeavor  is  amply  attested  by  the  marvelous  national 
libraries  throughout  the  civilized  world  and  the 
numberless  institutions  of  this  kind  found  in  great 
and  small  cities,  and  even  in  villages,  wherever  civi- 
lized man  finds  a  habitation.  Millions  are  expended 

[1743 


DEDICATORY  ADDRESS 

for  the  preservation  and  maintenance  of  public 
libraries,  and  the  proudest  achievements  of  genius  in 
architectural  and  decorative  art  find  congenial  ex- 
pression in  the  construction  of  library  buildings. 

The  public  library  is  essentially  the  school  for  the 
grown-up.  It  presents  equal  opportunities  for  rich 
and  poor,  old  and  young,  for  the  learned  as  well  as 
for  those  of  more  modest  literary  acquirements.  All 
may  here  partake  of  the  "intellectual  heritage  of  the 
centuries"  and  drink  deep  of  the  "Pierian  spring." 
Public  libraries  add  so  vastly  to  the  happiness  of  the 
great  masses  of  our  population  who  lack  the  means 
of  providing  intellectual  nourishment,  that  we  should 
all  rejoice  in  their  establishment  and  bless  the  mem- 
ory of  those  who  give  of  their  sustenance  for  that 
purpose.  Hours  of  leisure,  instead  of  being  wasted 
in  expensive  idleness,  may  be  spent  in  happy  com- 
munion with  the  master  minds  of  the  ages.  Good 
books  are  our  faithful  and  unvarying  friends.  Time 
and  circumstances  do  not  change  their  affections,  and 
in  them  we  shall  ever  find  counsel,  comfort  and  com- 
panionship. 

"In  the  best  books  great  men  talk  to  us,  give  up 
their  most  precious  thoughts  and  pour  their  souls  into 
ours.  God  be  thanked  for  books!  They  are  the 
voices  of  the  distant  and  the  dead,  and  make  us  heirs 
of  the  spiritual  life  of  the  past  ages.  Books  are  the 
true  levelers.  They  give  to  all  who  will  faithfully 
use  them  the  society  and  spiritual  presence  of  the  best 
and  greatest  of  our  race.  No  matter  how  poor  I  am, 

[1753 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

no  matter  though  the  prosperous  of  my  own  time  will 
not  enter  my  obscure  dwelling,  if  the  sacred  writers 
will  enter  and  take  up  their  abode  under  my  roof,  if 
Milton  will  cross  my  threshold  to  sing  to  me  of  Para- 
dise, and  Shakespeare  to  open  to  me  the  worlds  of 
imagination  and  the  workings  of  the  human  heart, 
and  Franklin  to  enrich  me  with  his  practical  wisdom, 
I  shall  not  pine  for  want  of  intellectual  companion- 
ship and  I  may  become  a  cultivated  man,  though  ex- 
cluded from  what  is  called  the  best  society  in  the 
place  where  I  live." 

Yet,  aside  from  all  these  considerations  which  ap- 
ply to  all  public  libraries  all  over  the  world,  it  seems 
to  me  that  in  our  country  the  public  library  fulfils  a 
yet  higher  and  greater  mission.  Ours  is  a  government 
"of  the  people,  by  the  people,  and  for  the  people." 
Its  very  life  depends  upon  the  intelligence,  virtue, 
and  patriotism  of  its  citizens.  By  the  exercise  of  the 
elective  franchise  any  citizen  may  influence  its  policy 
or  perhaps  its  very  institutions.  How  all-important 
that  in  the  discharge  of  this  high  civic  duty  the  citi- 
zen should  equip  himself  with  an  intelligence  equal 
to  its  momentous  obligations!  The  public  library 
will  furnish  him  with  the  best  thought  and  discus- 
sions on  the  great  constitutional  and  economic  issues 
which  demand  a  solution  at  the  ballot-box,  and  enable 
him  to  reach  a  decision  by  intelligent  investigation, 
rather  than  by  prejudices  aroused  by  appeals  to  his 
passion  and  morbid  political  bias.  A  more  intimate 
acquaintance  with  our  National  Constitution  and  the 

C'763 


DEDICATORY  ADDRESS 

theory  of  our  government  by  the  masses  of  the  people 
will  eliminate  the  social  and  governmental  heresies 
which  at  times  blur  our  public  life,  and  will  work  for 
the  perpetuity  of  our  free  institutions. 

My  friends,  we  stand  upon  hallowed  ground — 
doubly  hallowed  as  the  temple  of  literature,  art,  and 
science,  and  by  an  exalted  altruism  embracing  within 
its  sphere  the  people  of  this  city  for  all  time.  A  good 
and  noble  deed  never  dies.  It  is  of  the  essence  divine. 
And  though  beneath  the  sweep  of  centuries  this 
stately  building  may  crumble  into  dust,  the  blessed 
charity  of  Henry  Rosenberg  will  live  on  in  the  hearts 
of  the  children  of  men.  The  last  and  greatest  of  the 
charities  founded  by  Mr.  Rosenberg  stands  com- 
pleted, a  luminous  monument  to  his  benevolence  and 
to  his  memory.  His  name  will  ever  be  kept  in  grate- 
ful repute  by  the  people  of  this  city,  and  the  sen- 
timents which  throb  in  our  hearts  to-day  will  be 
transmitted  from  generation  to  generation. 

Involuntarily  these  sentiments  strive  for  expression 
in  speech  and  embodiment  in  enduring  pillar  or 
monument  as  a  testimonial  of  a  noble  and  beneficent 
life.  This  is  both  natural  and  just.  In  every  true 
and  honest  heart  there  dwells  a  desire  to  commemo- 
rate the  deeds  of  those  who  have  brought  honor  and 
blessings  upon  fheir  kind.  The  good  people  of  Gal- 
veston  will  not  forget  to  honor  the  memory  of  their 
illustrious  benefactor  and  thereby  avow  that  benevo- 
lence is  of  the  grandest  of  human  virtues. 

But  in  a  larger  sense  we  cannot  do  anything  to 

D77] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

enrich  or  exalt  such  a  life.  Its  glories  are  written  and 
its  monuments  reared  in  the  blessings  of  these  noble 
charities  and  in  the  unbidden  acclaim  of  a  grateful 
people. 

Howe'er  it  be,  it  seems  to  me, 

'Tis  only  noble  to  be  good. 
Kind  hearts  are  more  than  coronets, 

And  simple  faith  than  Norman  blood. 


C'78] 


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ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  IN  1910 


ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  IN  1913 


PLATE  No.  36 


ROSENBERG  LIBRARY— East  End 


ROSENBERG  LIBRARY-South  Side 


PLATE  No.  37 


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ROSENBERG  LIBRARY— Looking  North  on  Tremont  Street 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARY  FOR  COLORED  PEOPLE 

Tliis  is  an  addition  to  the  Central  (Colored)   High  School  Building 
Colored  Branch  addition  shown  at  right 


PLATE  No.  39 


THE  ROSENBERG  LIBRARY  BUILDING 

ON  the  fifteenth  of  May,  1901,  the  Directors  of  the 
Rosenberg  Library  Association  bought  as  a  site  for 
the  Rosenberg  Library  building  a  plot  of  ground, 
1 20  x  215  feet,  consisting  of  five  lots  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Tremont  Street  and  Sealy  Avenue,  the  pur- 
chase price  being  $i8,5oo.1  In  August,  1901,  the 
Board  of  Directors  employed  Alfred  F.  Rosenheim, 
of  St.  Louis,  as  consulting  architect  for  advice  and 
assistance  during  the  preparation  of  a  competition 
program  and  the  selection  of  a  design  for  the  Rosen- 
berg Library  building.  The  program  issued  on 
August  23  called  for  a  fire-proof  building  with  two 
stories  and  basement,  to  cost  $100,000,  the  building  to 
contain  rooms  for  the  usual  library  departments  with 
a  capacity  of  60,000  volumes,  and  also  to  contain 
a  lecture  hall  to  seat  500  or  more  people.  The 
competition  was  limited  to  Ackerman  &  Ross,  of 
New  York;  Eames  &  Young,  of  St.  Louis;  Thomas 
H.  Kimball,  of  Omaha;  and  Galveston  architects. 
The  unsuccessful  non-resident  competitors  were  each 

1  The  large  house  on  the  site  was  sold  for  $500,  moved  off  in 
January,  1902,  and  made  into  the  two  houses  at  1401  and  1405 
24th  Street.  This  house  was  originally  the  residence  of  George 
Ball,  who  built  it  in  1857.  A  number  of  years  later  it  was  owned 
by  P.  J.  Willis,  Sr.,  and  after  that  by  J.  G.  Goldthwaite,  who 
made  extensive  additions  and  repairs  in  1881  and  resided  there  until 
the  latter  part  of  the  year  1900. 

D793 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

to  receive  $250.  The  two  resident  architects  produc- 
ing the  best  designs  were  also  to  receive  each  $250. 
A  decision  was  reached  on  October  31,  1901,  and  the 
design  of  Eames  &  Young  was  accepted.  The  best 
two  designs  by  resident  architects  selected  by  the 
Board  of  Directors  to  receive  prizes  were  those  by 
George  B.  Stowe  and  Conlon  &  Koeppe.  William 
S.  Eames  and  Thomas  C.  Young,  the  successful  com- 
petitors, have  designed  some  of  the  very  large  and 
fine  buildings  of  the  United  States,  among  which  are 
the  United  States  Custom-house  at  San  Francisco  and 
the  Educational  Building  at  the  Louisiana  Purchase 
Exposition  of  1904.  Eames  &  Young  were  members 
of  the  Commission  of  Architects  of  the  Louisiana 
Purchase  Exposition,  and  members  of  the  St.  Louis 
City  Plan  Commission. 

Mr.  Young's  design  for  the  Rosenberg  Library 
building  called  for  a  brick,  stone,  and  terra-cotta 
structure,  87  x  134  feet  in  size,  to  have  two  stories 
and  basement,  with  a  height  of  58  feet.  Working 
drawings  and  details  were  prepared,  and  bids  for 
construction  were  called  for  by  advertisements  in  the 
latter  part  of  February,  1902.  The  general  contract 
for  the  construction  of  the  building  was  let  to  Harry 
Devlin,  a  Galveston  contractor,  on  March  21,  for 
$126,500.  The  completed  building  cost  about  $155,- 
ooo,  and  with  its  book-shelving  and  furniture  about 
$175,000.  The  building  was  constructed  at  a  favor- 
able time,  as  the  prices  both  for  material  and  labor 
were  then  low.  A  few  years  later  it  would  have  cost 


LIBRARY  BUILDING 

many  thousands  of  dollars  more  to  construct  the  same 
building.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  with  Masonic 
ceremony  on  October  18,  1902,  and  the  building,  com- 
pleted and  furnished,  was  dedicated  on  June  22,  1904, 
the  birthday  of  the  founder. 

The  Library  has  its  principal  front  on  Tremont 
Street,  one  of  the  best  streets  in  the  city.  It  is  cen- 
trally located,  in  the  edge  of  the  residence  district, 
quite  near  the  business  district,  and  not  far  from  the 
principal  public  buildings.  The  public  high  school 
is  only  two  blocks  away.  The  Rosenberg  Library 
building  is  one  of  the  finest  library  buildings  in  the 
South.  It  is  fire-proof  and  of  very  thorough,  honest 
construction.  It  is  used  exclusively  for  library  pur- 
poses. Its  architectural  style  is  late  Italian  Renais- 
sance— a  very  suitable  style  for  a  library.  The  struc- 
ture is  massive  and  dignified  and  presents  an  appear- 
ance of  great  stability  and  distinction.  The  building 
is  situated  on  extensive  grounds,  fifty  feet  back  from 
Tremont  Street  and  twenty-five  feet  back  from  Sealy 
Avenue,  the  grounds  being  elevated  several  feet  above 
the  street.  The  rows  of  palms  along  the  sidewalks, 
the  finely  kept  lawn,  the  architectural  terrace  on  the 
Sealy  Avenue  side  of  the  building,  the  Rosenberg 
statue,  the  large  electroliers,  and  the  imposing  steps 
on  the  Tremont  Street  side,  and  the  contrasting  effect 
of  the  light  gray  brick  and  cream-white  terra-cotta  of 
the  exterior  walls  with  the  green  tile  roof,  make  the 
general  appearance  of  the  building  very  beautiful 
and  stately.  The  building  is  admirable  in  the  sim- 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

plicity  of  its  outline  and  ornament,  and  it  is  especially 
successful  in  its  proportions.  Its  beauty  and  dignity 
as  a  piece  of  architecture  grow  upon  one  as  it  is  seen 
from  year  to  year.  Galveston  is  very  proud  of  her 
fine  library  building. 

The  building  has  concrete  foundations  4  feet  10 
inches  thick.  The  outer  basement  walls  are  3  feet 
2  inches  and  the  walls  above  are  2  feet  8  inches  in 
thickness.  The  framework  of  the  building  is  of 
very  heavy  structural  steel.  The  lower  course  at  the 
base  of  the  building  and  the  steps  of  the  approaches 
are  of  light  gray  granite  from  Llano  County,  Texas. 
Above  this,  extending  up  to  the  windows  of  the  main 
story,  are  courses  of  buff  Bedford,  Indiana,  lime- 
stone. The  face  brick  of  the  exterior  walls  is  light 
gray  in  color,  made  by  the  Hydraulic  Press  Brick 
Company  of  St.  Louis.  Cream-white,  semi-glazed, 
and  hard-burned  terra-cotta  is  used  for  the  architec- 
tural trimming  of  the  doors  and  windows,  and  for  the 
arches,  the  entablature,  etc.  In  appropriate  places  in 
the  terra-cotta  surfaces  palm  leaves,  oak  and  laurel 
wreaths,  the  cornucopia,  and  other  designs  are  used 
as  ornament.  The  cornice  has  a  row  of  tiger  heads, 
and  each  window  gable  has  a  book  and  scroll.  Large 
ornamental  panels  next  to  the  architrave  at  the  tops 
of  the  brick  piers  have  the  names  of  these  thirteen 
authors:  Homer,  Virgil,  Dante,  Shakespeare,  Mil- 
ton, Moliere,  Hugo,  Goethe,  Schiller,  Irving,  Bry- 
ant, Emerson,  Longfellow.  For  the  pitched  portion 
of  the  roof  green  Ludowici  tile  is  used.  Copper  is 

[1823 


LIBRARY  BUILDING 

used  for  the  cresting,  the  gutters,  and  the  top  portion 
of  the  cornice. 

The  building  has  very  high  stories,  the  doors  and 
windows  are  very  large,  and  the  rooms  are  large  and 
open, — all  made  suitable  for  this  warm  climate.  The 
building  is  heated  with  steam  and  lighted  by  electric- 
ity and  gas.  A  house  telephone  system  connects  the 
different  rooms.  All  pipes  and  conduits  are  concealed 
in  the  walls  and  floors.  The  floors  are  of  concrete 
with  a  finished  surface  of  the  best  Southern  yellow 
pine.  Italian  marble  ("English  vein")  is  used  in  the 
main  story  for  the  walls  of  the  vestibule,  wainscoting 
of  the  corridor  and  stairways,  front  of  the  lending 
counter,  and  for  the  front  room  mantels.  Georgia 
marble  (Kenesaw  Mountain)  is  used  in  the  basement. 
For  the  interior  finish  oak  is  used  in  the  first  and  sec- 
ond stories  and  hard  pine  in  the  basement.  Oak  fur- 
niture is  used  throughout.  The  trimming  hardware 
and  fixtures  are  of  bronze. 

The  same  simplicity  of  ornament  and  excellence 
of  proportions  are  to  be  seen  inside  the  building  as 
outside.  The  main  entrance  is  from  Tremont  Street 
between  dignified  electroliers,  up  the  stately  granite 
steps  of  the  approach,  through  finely  carved  oak 
doors  and  marble  vestibule  into  a  spacious  corridor 
with  white  plastered  walls,  large  square  pillars  and 
pilasters,  deep  ceiling  beams,  marble  wainscoting, 
and  marble  floor. 

The  two  large  front  rooms  opening  off  the  corridor 
without  partitions  are  used  for  reading  rooms  for 

[1833 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

current  periodicals.  They  have  paneled  oak  walls, 
carved  oak  pilasters,  oak  ceiling  beams,  and  marble 
mantels.  Opening  from  the  south  and  north  sides  of 
the  corridor  through  carved  oak  glazed  doors  with 
Florentine  glass  are  the  library  offices  and  work 
rooms  with  vaults  and  closets.  These  rooms  have 
light-colored  oak  wainscoting,  paneling,  and  furni- 
ture. 

Centrally  located  at  the  end  of  the  corridor  is  the 
lending  desk,  the  library  headquarters  for  informa- 
tion and  public  service,  and  for  oversight.  Beyond 
the  lending  desk,  opening  from  the  corridor  without 
partition,  is  the  general  book  room,  occupying  the 
whole  west  end  of  the  main  story.  This  room  is  used 
both  for  the  lending  department  and  the  reference 
department.  The  children's  department  also  was 
here  until  the  growth  of  the  Library  in  size  and  use 
compelled  its  removal  in  1915  to  the  larger  quarters 
in  the  second  story  originally  designed  for  this  pur- 
pose. The  electric  lighting  in  the  corridor  and  gen- 
erally throughout  the  building  is  from  lights  with 
reflectors  placed  near  the  ceiling.  Two  stairways 
with  marble  steps,  beautiful  newel  posts,  and  wrought- 
iron  railing  lead  from  the  north  and  south  sides  of  the 
corridor  to  the  second  story. 

The  second  story  corridor  has  a  large  leaded-glass 
skylight  of  simple  geometric  design  in  colors.  Open- 
ing from  this  corridor  are  the  children's  rooms,  class 
room,  special  collections  room,  and  the  large  lecture 
hall.  The  children's  rooms  occupy  the  whole  east  end 


LIBRARY  BUILDING 

of  the  second  story,  the  entrance  to  which  is  through 
an  oak  grille  partition.  These  rooms  have  beautiful 
carved  oak  mantels,  oak  pilasters  with  carved  caps, 
oak  ceiling  beams,  and  specially  designed  oak  shelv- 
ing and  furniture.  The  story  room  has  specially  de- 
signed book-cases  with  glass  fronts  for  the  finely 
bound  and  illustrated  books  of  the  Library,  drawers 
and  cabinets  for  pictures,  and  benches  for  story-hour 
time.  The  partition  separating  the  story  room  is 
largely  of  oak  grille  work,  needed  in  the  long  sum- 
mer to  admit  freely  the  sea  breezes.  Transoms  and 
heavy  shades  running  in  grooves  serve  to  shut  off  the 
room  during  story-hour  or  the  meeting  of  a  study 
club.  The  exhibit  cases  are  a  special  feature  of  the 
children's  rooms. 

From  the  second  story  corridor  the  lecture  hall  is 
entered  through  a  vestibule  with  three  pairs  of  double 
doors.  Pilasters  with  Ionic  capitals  ornament  the 
walls.  The  ceiling  has  very  heavy  beams  and  panels 
and  a  large  and  beautiful  decorative  skylight  of  col- 
ored leaded-glass  in  geometric  and  other  designs. 
Comfortable  opera  chairs  are  arranged  in  a  semi- 
circle, with  the  floor  sloping  toward  the  platform 
with  its  anterooms  at  the  west  end.  The  acoustic 
properties  are  good.  With  the  gallery  space  there 
are  about  seven  hundred  seats.  The  hall  is  equipped 
with  a  stereopticon,  opaque  screen,  and  heavy  black 
window  shades  for  darkening  the  room  in  the  day- 
time. 

The  basement  has  the  boiler  room  and  shop,  the 

[1853 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

public  toilets,  packing  room,  work  rooms,  and  rest 
room  for  staff  use.  Most  of  the  basement  space  is 
used  for  shelving  for  books,  pamphlets,  periodicals, 
and  newspapers.  Space  in  the  attic  is  used  for  stor- 
age purposes. 


C'86] 


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MAIN  CORRIDOR 


PLATE  No.  41 


PERIODICAL  READING  ROOMS  AND  CORRIDOR 


PLATE  No.  42 


BOOK  ROOM 

Showing  Reference  Desk 


PLATE  No.  43 


BOOK  ROOM 

Showing  Card  Catalog  and  Lending  Counter 


PLATE  No.  44 


OFFICES  OF  LIBRARIAN  AND  FIRST  ASSISTANT 


PLATE  No.  45 


CATALOGING  AND  WORK  ROOMS 


PLATE  No.  46 


a 

H 

CO 


O 
U 

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LECTURE  HALL  IN  SECOND  STORY 


PLATE  No.  48 


CHILDREN'S  DEPARTMENT-Entrance 


CHILDREN'S  DEPARTMENT-Reading  Room 


PLATE  No.  49 


CHILDREN'S  DEPARTMENT-Reading  Room 


CHILDREN'S  DEPARTMENT-Story  Room 


PLATE  No.  50 


Old  Mother  Hubbard  Jack  the  Giant  Killer 

WOOD  CARVINGS  ON  SETTLES  IN  CHILDREN'S 
READING  ROOM 


PLATE  No.  5 1 


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THE  DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE 
ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

BY  FRANK  C.  PATTEN,  LIBRARIAN 

BY  the  will  of  Henry  Rosenberg,  merchant  and 
banker  of  Galveston,  who  died  on  the  twelfth  of  May, 
1893,  provision  was  made  for  the  organization  and 
endowment  of  a  free  public  library  in  Galveston 
under  wise  and  liberal  conditions  that  led  to  the  foun- 
dation of  a  library  on  a  broad  basis.  About  a  week 
after  Mr.  Rosenberg's  death  the  executors  permitted 
the  publication  of  an  account  of  his  munificent  public 
bequests.  This  account  showed  that  Mr.  Rosenberg 
had  provided  that  his  residuary  legatee  should  be  a 
free  public  library,  and  it  was  expected,  from  the  size 
of  his  other  bequests,  that  the  amount  that  would  be 
left  for  the  public  library  would  be  much  larger  than 
that  for  any  other  purpose.  In  the  minds  of  the  peo- 
ple of  Galveston  there  were  aroused  great  anticipa- 
tions of  the  future  public  library  that  was  to  be  estab- 
lished as  an  institution  of  large  usefulness  and  one 
that  would  be  the  pride  of  the  city. 


THE  BEGINNINGS 

MANY  years  elapsed  before  the  large  estate  of  Mr. 
Rosenberg  had  been  so  far  settled  that  steps  could  be 
taken  for  the  establishment  of  the  Library.  On  July 

[1873 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

10,  1900,  a  charter  was  granted  by  the  State  of  Texas 
to  the  Rosenberg  Library  Association.  The  charter 
had  been  signed  by  Major  A.  J.  Walker,  the  executor 
of  the  estate,  and  Captain  J.  P.  Alvey  and  I.  Loven- 
berg,  prominent  citizens  of  Galveston,  whom  Major 
Walker  had  associated  with  himself  and  Colonel 
M.  F.  Mott,  attorney  for  the  estate,  in  organizing  the 
Library.  The  charter  provided  for  a  self-perpetu- 
ating board  of  trustees  of  twenty  members,  each 
elected  for  life,  and  in  the  articles  of  incorporation 
the  original  twenty  members  were  named.  The  char- 
ter also  provided  for  a  managing  board  of  seven  di- 
rectors to  be  elected  by  the  trustees  from  their  own 
number  at  their  annual  meeting  each  year,  and  the 
persons  to  compose  the  first  Board  of  Directors  were 
named  as  follows:  Major  A.  J.  Walker,  Colonel 
M.  F.  Mott,  Captain  J.  P.  Alvey,  I.  Lovenberg,  John 
Sealy,  H.  A.  Landes,  and  W.  T.  Austin.  This  Board 
of  Directors  organized  on  October  17,  1900,  with 
Major  A.  J.  Walker  as  president;  Colonel  M.  F. 
Mott,  vice-president;  Captain  J.  P.  Alvey,  treasurer; 
and  I.  Lovenberg,  secretary.  In  February,  1901, 
Major  A.  J.  Walker,  as  executor  of  the  Rosenberg 
estate,  turned  over  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  for  the 
Rosenberg  Library,  the  residue  of  the  estate,  which 
was  by  inventory  valued  at  $620,529.69.  In  the  fol- 
lowing May  a  site  was  purchased,  in  August  a  com- 
petition program  for  the  building  was  issued,  and  the 
plan  was  selected  in  October.  Following  advertise- 
ments in  February,  1902,  the  general  contract  for  the 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

building  was  awarded  in  March,  and  in  October  the 
corner-stone  was  laid.  On  July  24,  1903,  Frank  C. 
Patten,  of  the  Lenox  Library,  New  York  City,  who 
had  recently  been  chosen  librarian  by  the  Board  of 
Directors,  arrived  in  Galveston  to  take  up  his  duties. 
The  work  of  making  plans  for  the  organization  of 
the  new  institution  was  immediately  begun.  During 
the  next  few  months  the  members  of  the  library  staff 
were  chosen,  the  work  of  selecting  and  buying  books 
entered  upon,  and  plans  made  for  the  necessary  shelv- 
ing and  furniture  and  for  the  system  to  be  adopted 
for  the  new  Library. 


PLANNING  THE  LIBRARY  SYSTEM 

THE  new  library  building  was  large,  dignified,  and 
beautiful,  and  was  surrounded  by  fine  grounds.  The 
new  furniture  was  simple  and  pleasing,  in  keeping 
with  the  beautiful  library  interior.  All  was  so 
planned  in  design  and  arrangement  as  to  make  the 
rooms  attractive  and  somewhat  homelike,  avoiding 
both  the  uninviting  formality  of  many  public  build- 
ings and  the  domestic  aspect  of  a  room  in  a  home. 
There  was  thus  produced  an  appearance  that  would 
be  very  suitable  for  a  library,  conducive  to  the  appro- 
priate atmosphere  of  welcome,  and  suggestive  of  the 
quiet,  studious,  working  place  that  a  public  library 
should  be. 

In  these  attractive  rooms  we  were  about  to  open  a 

[1893 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

new  library  with  an  encouraging  prospect  for  future 
growth,  and  it  was  important  to  start  right.  The 
Library  must  be  made  a  really  useful  public  institu- 
tion. In  making  plans  for  such  an  institution  there 
must  be  a  systematic  foundation  for  a  large  future 
sufficient  to  build  on  for  many  years  to  come.  There 
must  be  a  thorough  and  complete  organization,  one 
that  would  prove  adequate  with  the  growth  of  years, 
and  so  elastic  that  the  system  would  grow  naturally 
with  the  growth  of  the  Library  in  size  and  use;  yet 
it  must  be  as  simple  an  organization  as  possible,  with 
no  more  machinery  than  would  be  really  necessary  to 
accomplish  its  purpose. 

Such  a  library  as  ours  would  not  only  contain  books 
and  current  periodicals,  but  there  would  be  pam- 
phlets, maps,  charts,  photographs,  pictures,  prints, 
manuscripts,  and  articles  of  historic,  scientific,  and 
artistic  interest.  These  would  come  to  the  Library 
not  only  by  purchase,  but  by  donation  and  exchange. 
Books  and  other  articles  for  purchase  must  be  care- 
fully selected  and  ordered,  and  there  must  be  careful 
attention  to  receiving,  checking,  and  accessioning  in 
a  businesslike  manner.  There  must  be  a  cataloging 
system  that  would  be  adequate  for  the  Library  of  a 
hundred  thousand  volumes  and  more  that  we  ex- 
pected some  day  to  have,  a  system  that  would  not 
break  down  in  a  few  years.  The  cataloging  must  be 
done  intelligently  and  accurately  by  expert  assistants, 
so  that  the  catalog  would  not  become  confused  with 
blunders  and  errors  and  the  work  all  have  to  be  done 

£190] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

over  again  a  few  years  later.  Donations  and  ex- 
changes must  be  properly  acknowledged.  Binding 
and  mending  must  receive  careful  attention.  Books 
would  wear  out,  and  there  must  be  withdrawals. 
Losses  and  thefts  must  be  guarded  against.  Current 
periodicals  must  be  provided  and  placed  in  the  read- 
ing rooms  and  later  filed  away  promptly  and  prop- 
erly. There  must  be  a  suitable  plan  of  registry  and 
guarantee  for  borrowers.  Books  loaned  for  home 
reading  must  be  properly  charged  and  their  return 
recorded,  with  necessary  fines  for  overtime,  injury 
and  loss. 

Such  a  library  as  ours  would  be  a  reference  library 
as  well  as  a  lending  library  and  it  would  be  for  chil- 
dren as  well  as  for  adults.  There  would  be  exhibits 
on  a  small  scale  from  time  to  time.  And  in  addition 
to  the  usual  library  activities,  instructive,  popular 
free  lectures  were  to  be  a  special  feature  of  the  work 
of  our  Library.  All  this  would  mean  various  depart- 
ments, such  as  lending,  reference,  children's,  periodi- 
cal, order,  catalog,  and  lecture.  All  these  needs 
would  require  suitable  records  in  appropriate  form 
on  cards,  on  sheets,  or  in  books.  Many  printed  forms 
would  be  required.  The  necessary  supplies  for  the 
whole  organization  would  have  to  be  provided,  sys- 
tematically kept  in  a  stock  room,  and  replenished  at 
the  proper  time. 

We  were  beginning  not  only  with  a  beautiful  new 
building,  well  located,  and  with  fine  new  furniture, 
all  very  desirable,  but  our  books  and  other  printed 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

matter  would  all  be  new,  carefully  selected,  and  all 
valuable.  We  aimed  to  have  the  services  on  the 
library  staff  of  people  of  good  education,  expert 
knowledge,  experienced  in  the  library  profession, 
people  of  culture  and  wide  knowledge  of  books  and 
subjects.  We  were  starting  with  everything  new  and 
with  a  new  foundation  to  be  laid,  and  not  with  an  old 
library  with  an  old  organization  to  be  built  upon. 
Our  library  system  could  be  planned  in  the  light  of 
the  best  library  experience  of  the  day,  unhampered 
by  an  old  building  and  equipment,  dead  books,  and 
outgrown  plans  that  the  older  libraries  find  so  diffi- 
cult and  expensive  to  modernize.  Besides  the  new 
building,  equipment,  and  books,  there  was  a  growing 
endowment  fund  for  support.  Thus  our  new  Library 
would  begin  its  course  of  public  usefulness  under 
favorable  circumstances.  And  the  library  manage- 
ment was  very  desirous  to  proceed  wisely,  for  we 
wished  to  meet  the  expectations  of  a  hopeful  public 
and  to  realize  a  satisfied  and  responsive  public. 


THE  LIBRARY  OPENED 

ON  the  twenty-second  of  June,  1904,  the  birthday  of 
the  founder,  at  a  large  public  meeting  held  in  the 
library  lecture  hall  in  the  evening,  the  Rosenberg 
Library  was  dedicated  as  a  free  public  library,  in 
accordance  with  the  will  of  the  founder.  On  that 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

day  the  Library  was  open  for  inspection,  and  on  the 
following  day  it  was  open  for  regular  public  use. 

The  Rosenberg  Library  opened  with  bright  pros- 
pects, in  a  beautiful  and  stately  building  centrally 
located  and  well  equipped.  The  cost  of  this  fine 
building,  with  its  equipment  of  furniture  and  books, 
had  been  up  to  this  time  about  $200,000,  and  there 
was  a  growing  endowment  fund  that  at  this  date 
amounted  to  nearly  $500,000.  The  people  of  Galves- 
ton  had  looked  forward  eagerly  for  years  with  high 
expectations  to  the  time  of  the  opening  of  their  pub- 
lic library,  and  now  they  beheld  the  beginnings  of  an 
institution  nobly  realizing  their  hopes  and  having 
great  promise  for  the  future.  In  time  it  seemed  that 
this  institution  might  become  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant public  libraries  of  the  South. 

GETTING  THE  LIBRARY  STARTED 

THE  institution  opened  with  a  library  staff  consisting 
of  the  librarian  and  five  assistants  and  a  janitor.  The 
Library  began  with  about  7000  volumes  and  with 
shelving  for  20,000  volumes,  and  the  periodical  read- 
ing rooms  had  about  125  current  periodicals.  On  the 
first  day  106  borrowers  were  registered  and  91  books 
were  loaned.  The  open  hours  were  at  first  short, 
being  from  9  to  5  on  week  days,  except  Thursdays, 
when  the  Library  was  open  from  9  A.M.  to  9  P.M. 
During  the  next  two  years,  as  the  work  of  the  Library 
grew,  these  hours  of  opening  were  gradually  extended 

[1933 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

to  twelve  hours  on  week  days  and  three  hours  on  Sun- 
days and  holidays,  the  latter  for  reading  only. 

A  large  building  had  been  planned  in  order  to  pro- 
vide for  future  growth;  therefore  the  first  arrange- 
ment of  the  departments  was  somewhat  temporary. 
The  lending  desk  was  made  the  central  point  of  over- 
sight, and,  in  order  to  provide  for  giving  readers 
access  to  all  the  books  of  the  Library,  the  room  de- 
signed for  the  book  stack  was  used  as  a  general  book 
room.  Here  was  to  be  concentrated  the  work  of  the 
lending  department,  the  children's  department,  and 
the  reference  department  until  such  time  as  the 
growth  of  the  Library  should  demand  an  expansion 
into  other  parts  of  the  building  not  at  first  occupied. 
The  front  rooms  were  used  for  reading  rooms  for 
current  periodicals.  Living  rooms  were  provided  in 
the  basement  for  the  janitor's  family,  to  be  so  used 
until  it  should  become  necessary  to  occupy  the  base- 
ment as  the  library  book  stack  and  for  shelving  for 
periodicals  and  pamphlets. 

A  handbook  of  information  and  rules  had  been 
issued  in  readiness  for  the  opening,  in  order  to  give  a 
general  description  of  the  library  rooms  and  the  pur- 
poses to  which  they  were  to  be  put,  to  describe  the  li- 
brary privileges  and  facilities,  and  to  tell  how  to  use 
the  Library.  We  expected  of  the  public  such  conduct 
in  the  Library  as  people  of  good  manners  everywhere 
observe  in  a  public  building  such  as  a  library,  a 
school,  or  a  church,  in  contrast  to  such  a  public  build- 
ing as  a  store,  a  hotel,  or  a  railway  station.  We  ex- 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

pected  the  public  to  help  us  to  keep  the  Library  rea- 
sonably quiet  at  all  times  in  order  that  it  might  serve 
its  main  purpose,  that  of  providing  educational  oppor- 
tunity. We  kept  everything  about  the  building  clean 
and  orderly.  Our  clean  city  streets  and  clean  sea  air, 
in  contrast  with  conditions  in  a  smoky  manufacturing 
city,  and  our  new  books  furnished  us  an  exceptionally 
good  opportunity  to  start  well  in  the  care  of  books. 
The  Library  took  special  pains  to  keep  its  books 
clean,  well  bound,  and  in  good  repair  (daily  exami- 
nation, with  all  necessary  cleaning  and  mending,  is 
specially  emphasized  in  this  Library),  and  readers 
were  asked  to  take  specially  good  care  of  library 
books  in  cooperation  with  our  plans. 

Much  care  was  used  in  the  selection  of  books  for 
the  Library.  It  was  expected  that  when  some  ten  or 
twelve  thousand  volumes  were  on  hand  they  would 
constitute  a  good  all-round  popular  library.  On 
account  of  the  necessity  for  haste  in  preparation  for 
the  opening  of  the  Library,  a  temporary  catalog  was 
all  that  was  possible  at  first,  and  books  were  kept 
arranged  on  the  shelves  by  authors  until  such  time  as 
the  classification  could  be  completed  and  the  books 
arranged  in  the  more  convenient  plan  by  subjects. 
This  arrangement  was  kept  until  1909,  when  the 
books  were  rearranged  in  class  order  by  Cutter's  Ex- 
pansive Classification  System  and  the  card  index 
catalog  was  placed  in  a  public  position. 

On  November  29,  1904,  the  Library  sustained  the 
loss  by  death  of  its  highly  valued  President,  Major 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

A.  J.  Walker.  Colonel  M.  F.  Mott,  Vice-President, 
was  then  elected  President,  John  Sealy  Vice-Presi- 
dent, and  F.  L.  Lee  a  Director. 

In  December  there  was  held  the  first  library  ex- 
hibit. This  was  a  display  of  holiday  books  for  chil- 
dren, the  purpose  being  to  help  and  encourage  par- 
ents in  their  efforts  to  select  the  best  books  as  gifts  to 
children  at  Christmas  time. 

At  the  end  of  the  year  1904  the  first  public  report 
was  issued  on  the  work  of  the  Library.  There  were 
then  over  13,000  volumes,  about  2300  of  which  were 
books  for  children.  The  Library  had  already  re- 
ceived by  donation  over  1000  volumes.  There  were 
3500  pamphlets,  the  beginning  of  a  valuable  collec- 
tion. There  were  150  current  periodicals,  and  the 
periodical  reading  rooms  were  having  a  large  and 
growing  use.  Borrowers  had  been  registered  to  the 
number  of  2670,  about  half  of  whom  were  children. 
For  the  six  months  that  the  Library  had  been  open 
the  loans  for  home  reading  had  been  over  28,000,  an 
average  of  182  per  day.  As  a  public  catalog  to  use 
instead  of  the  full  index  card  catalog  that  was  to  be 
prepared  for  future  use,  the  Library  made  use  of  the 
American  Library  Association  printed  catalog  of 
8000  volumes.  The  Library  had  tried  the  plan  of 
giving  the  readers  and  borrowers  free  access  to  the 
library  shelves,  and  it  had  proved  to  be  very  success- 
ful and  very  pleasing  to  the  public.  The  work  of  the 
Library  was  now  started  auspiciously,  and  the  people 
of  Galveston  were  gratified. 

1:196:3 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

BRANCH  LIBRARY  FOR  COLORED  PEOPLE  OPENED 

BY  agreement  with  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  Galveston,  the  library  Board'of  Direc- 
tors arranged  to  provide  for  a  branch  library  for  the 
colored  citizens  of  Galveston  by  erecting  an  addition 
to  the  Central  (Colored)  High  School  building.  On 
January  n,  1905,  the  colored  branch  of  Rosenberg 
Library  was  opened  for  public  use  with  about  noo 
volumes  and  21  current  periodicals.  The  building, 
equipment,  and  books  have  cost  about  $6000.  The 
branch  at  first  was  open  about  four  hours  a  day. 

The  branch  library  was  popular  from  the  start,  and 
the  open  time  was  later  increased  to  about  six  hours  a 
day  and  an  additional  number  of  books  and  periodi- 
cals were  provided.  Conditions  in  Galveston  re- 
quired that  the  use  of  library  privileges  by  the 
colored  citizens  should  be  separate  and  distinct  from 
their  use  by  the  white  people,  this  being  the  same  kind 
of  separation  of  races  that  is  observed  in  the  public 
schools  everywhere  in  the  South.  It  was  by  means 
of  a  branch  library  that  the  Rosenberg  Library  Board 
of  Directors  attempted  to  meet  the  problem  of  the 
proper  way  to  furnish  library  facilities  to  the  colored 
people.  So  far  as  we  know,  this  was  the  first  branch 
library  for  colored  people  to  be  established  anywhere 
in  the  country.  The  plan  has  proved  a  decided  suc- 
cess with  us.  Since  our  branch  was  established  sev- 
eral other  branch  libraries  for  colored  people  have 
been  established  in  other  cities  in  the  South. 

£197] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

THE  OLD  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  ABSORBED 

ON  January  12,  1905,  the  Galveston  City  Commis- 
sion voted  to  offer  to  turn  over  to  the  Rosenberg  Li- 
brary all  books  of  the  existing  Public  Library,  and  to 
discontinue  that  library  after  February  28,  1905. 
There  were  said  to  be  7505  volumes  in  the  Library 
and  a  registration  of  5468.  The  Directors  of  the 
Rosenberg  Library  accepted  the  offer  of  the  City 
Commission,  and  the  moving  of  the  books  to  the 
Rosenberg  Library  building  was  completed  on  Feb- 
ruary 15.  A  very  large  number  of  the  books  of  the 
Public  Library  were  too  much  worn  to  be  of  further 
use.  About  1700  volumes,  however,  were  found  of 
sufficient  value  to  be  added  to  the  Rosenberg  Library; 
and  besides  these,  as  many  as  1500  volumes  of  United 
States  public  documents  were  used  to  form  the  begin- 
ning of  a  collection  of  public  documents  in  the  Rosen- 
berg Library.1 

1  The  Galveston  Public  Library,  as  it  came  to  be  known  in  its 
later  years,  had  its  inception  on  September  13,  1870,  in  resolutions 
adopted  by  the  Galveston  Chamber  of  Commerce.  These  resolu- 
tions created  a  library  department  whose  object  should  be  "to  es- 
tablish and  foster  a  mercantile  library  and  reading  room  in  this  city 
for  the  use  of  all  persons  subscribing  thereto."  The  library  depart- 
ment of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  was  to  be  managed  by  a  com- 
mittee of  three.  Shortly  after  this  the  committee  was  appointed 
and  organized  with  J.  S.  Thrasher  as  Chairman,  James  Sorley  as 
Secretary,  and  John  Focke  as  Treasurer.  This  committee  planned 
well  for  the  new  Library;  they  established  a  Founders'  Library 
Fund  to  be  made  up  from  voluntary  subscriptions  of  two  dollars 
per  month  for  the  term  of  twelve  months.  The  citizens  of  Gal- 
veston responded  readily  to  their  appeal  for  funds  and  for  donations 
of  books,  pamphlets,  etc.  On  January  19,  1871,  an  entertainment 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

THE  LIBRARY  MAKES  PROGRESS 

THE  will  of  Mr.  Rosenberg  mentioned  free  lectures 
as  one  of  the  features  of  the  institution  he  desired  to 
found.  Therefore,  in  addition  to  the  usual  library 
departments,  the  plans  of  the  Board  of  Directors  em- 
braced a  system  of  free  instructive  popular  lectures 
"upon  practical,  literary,  and  scientific  subjects,"  as 
stated  in  the  will.  The  people  of  Galveston  looked 
forward  enthusiastically  to  the  Rosenberg  Library 
free  lectures  and  were  eager  to  have  them  begin.  In 
the  winter  of  1905  an  arrangement  was  completed 
with  the  University  of  Chicago  to  send  a  man  from 
their  University  Extension  Department  to  begin  our 
courses  of  free  lectures.  This  first  series  of  univer- 
sity extension  lectures  was  given  by  Jenkin  Lloyd 
Jones,  of  Chicago,  beginning  on  March  17,  1905,  and 
ending  on  March  21.  The  series  consisted  of  four 
literary  lectures  on  Hugo,  Ibsen,  Tolstoi,  and  Sidney 

celebrating  the  opening  of  the  Library  was  held  in  Casino  Hall,  at 
2 1 2O  Avenue  G,  a  building  that  has  in  recent  years  been  repaired 
and  improved  to  form  a  church  building  for  Immanuel  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  next  day,  January  20,  the  Galveston  Mercan- 
tile Library  was  opened  to  the  public.  The  librarian  was  Mrs. 
Emily  F.  Carnes.  The  Library  was  housed  in  the  Hurlbut  Build- 
ing, 2214  Post-office  Street. 

The  Library  published  its  first  bulletin  in  January,  1871.  This 
publication  outlines  briefly  the  history  of  the  formation  of  the  in- 
stitution and  its  purposes  and  privileges.  The  resolutions  adopted 
by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  on  September  13,  1870,  which  con- 
stituted the  "Organic  Law  of  the  Galveston  Mercantile  Library," 
were  published  in  this  bulletin.  A  list  of  the  subscribers  to  the 
Founders'  Library  Fund  and  donors  is  included,  and  also  the  rules 
of  the  Library  and  reading  room.  In  the  announcement  to  the 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Lanier.  The  lecturer  was  introduced  by  Colonel 
M.  F.  Mott,  President  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and 
each  evening  at  eight  o'clock  the  lecturer  was  greeted 
by  an  audience  of  about  five  hundred  people.  Every- 
body was  greatly  pleased,  and  this  first  series  of  lec- 
tures was  a  decidedly  successful  beginning  of  the 
work  of  our  lecture  department.  Other  lectures  were 

public  there  is  the  following  statement :  "The  liberality  of  the  mer- 
chants of  Galveston  enables  us  to  offer  you  the  first  public  standard 
and  circulating  library  established  in  Texas."  This  bulletin  shows 
that  nearly  2000  volumes  had  been  donated  to  the  Library.  The 
terms  of  membership  subscription  were  established  at  ten  dollars 
a  year.  A  series  of  lectures  is  mentioned  as  a  coming  possibility. 

A  second  library  bulletin  was  published  in  July,  1871.  This 
bulletin  shows  that  the  Library  had  already  outgrown  its  original 
quarters  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  had  provided  more  ade- 
quate space  by  leasing  for  five  years  the  old  Ryland  Chapel,  the 
first  Methodist  church  erected  in  Galveston,  located  on  the  north- 
east corner  of  22d  and  Church  Streets,  where  the  Scottish  Rite 
Cathedral  now  stands.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  had  thus  rec- 
ognized the  usefulness  and  popularity  of  the  Library,  and  it  had 
even  gone  so  far  as  to  suggest  a  fund  for  a  library  building.  The 
statement  is  made  that  682  volumes  had  been  purchased  since  the 
publication  of  the  first  bulletin,  and  that  the  Library  now  had  more 
than  5500  volumes.  This  bulletin  records  and  catalogs  the  dona- 
tion by  General  T.  N.  Waul  of  the  "Waul  Collection,"  comprising 
more  than  a  thousand  volumes  of  standard  and  carefully  selected 
books  in  various  branches  of  literature.  Many  other  donations 
beside  General  Waul's  are  also  recorded.  The  list  of  "serial 
literature"  for  the  reading  rooms  makes  very  interesting  reading  in 
our  day,  reminding  us  of  such  familiar  old-time  names  as  the 
Galaxy,  Godey's  Ladies'  Book,  Chimney  Corner,  Hunt's  Mer- 
chants' Magazine,  North  American  Review,  Oliver  Optic's  Maga- 
zine, Scribner's  Monthly,  Southern  Review,  and  Yankee  Notions. 
There  are  in  all  fifty-seven  current  periodicals  on  the  list.  Some 
of  these  are  familiar  to-day;  a  great  many  of  them  belong  only  in 
the  dead  past.  An  interesting  feature  of  this  bulletin  is  an  appeal 
for  material  relative  to  the  early  history  of  Texas.  Contributions 
of  books,  pamphlets,  and  other  matter  pertinent  to  Texas  history 

C200] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

given  the  same  season,  and  the  following  winter  a 
still  larger  number  was  offered  to  the  public.  Be- 
ginning with  an  expenditure  of  about  $500  a  year,  the 
lecture  department  work  was  extended  gradually  so 
as  to  provide  each  year  more  and  more  free  public 
lectures. 

On  March  6,  1906,  a  most  interesting  event  in  the 

are  earnestly  solicited.  In  this  bulletin  is  published  a  revised  list 
of  subscribers  to  the  Founders'  Library  Fund,  containing  129 
names.  The  name  of  Henry  Rosenberg  is  in  this  list  with  many 
prominent  Galveston  citizens.  Both  of  these  bulletins  show  wise 
and  careful  planning  for  the  young  Library.  The  bulletins  show 
that  counsel  was  asked  of  Justin  Winsor,  Librarian  of  the  Boston 
Public  Library;  of  A.  M.  Palmer,  Librarian  of  the  New  York 
Mercantile  Library ;  and  of  other  prominent  librarians. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  on  Decem- 
ber 9,  1873,  a  committee  consisting  of  W.  P.  Ballinger,  John  Sealy, 
T.  N.  Waul,  J.  S.  Thrasher,  and  A.  N.  Hobby  was  appointed  to 
consider  a  plan  for  converting  the  Mercantile  Library  into  a  free 
public  library.  It  seems  that  by  this  time  the  Library  had  grown 
until  it  possessed  some  9000  volumes.  At  a  called  meeting  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  held  on  January  3,  1874,  the  committee  on 
a  free  public  library  reported  as  follows :  "The  movement  you  have 
initiated  for  the  establishment  of  a  truly  public  and  free  library  is 
both  wise  and  opportune.  .  .  .  No  city  should  be  without  a  public 
library.  It  is  impossible  that  any  private  collection  of  this  charac- 
ter can  command  even  a  fair  proportion  of  the  immense  number  of 
books  now  forming  our  literature,  which  is  constantly  increased  by 
the  teeming  thought  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Some  access  to  this 
stream  of  knowledge  is  needful  to  every  community  whose  citizens 
share  in  the  progress  and  culture  of  their  age.  Libraries  are  the 
crown  of  every  system  of  education.  In  schools  and  colleges  the 
young  learn  the  use  of  books  and  of  the  faculties  of  the  mind.  The 
intellectual  fruit  of  their  own  age  can  be  attained  only  by  constant 
study.  Education  is  thus  continued  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave." 

The  outcome  of  these  meetings  was  that  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce offered  their  library  as  a  free  gift  to  the  city  of  Galveston, 
provided  that  it  "shall  be  made  a  free  library  for  the  use  of  all  the 
citizens  of  Galveston  forever,"  and  that  certain  other  simple  condi- 

[201] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

history  of  the  Library  took  place.  A  bronze  statue 
of  Henry  Rosenberg,  by  Louis  Amateis,  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  which  had  been  erected  by  voluntary  con- 
tributions from  the  people  of  Galveston  under  the 
auspices  of  a  committee  of  citizens,  was  unveiled  in 
its  position  in  front  of  the  library  building.  Many 
business  houses  closed  their  doors  in  honor  of  the 

tions  should  be  met.  By  city  ordinance  approved  on  November  18, 
1874,  the  City  Council  fulfilled  the  conditions  and  accepted  the  gift 
of  the  Library  from  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  establishing  the 
new  Library  under  the  name  of  "The  Galveston  Free  Library." 
The  sum  of  $250  a  month  was  appropriated  for  "maintenance, 
preservation,  and  increase."  The  ordinance  established  a  managing 
board  of  nine  trustees,  three  of  these  to  be  aldermen  appointed  by 
the  Mayor,  three  to  be  citizens  elected  by  the  City  Council,  and 
three  to  be  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  elected  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Galveston 
Free  Library  was  held  on  December  12,  1874,  at  the  office  of 
Ballinger,  Jack  &  Mott.  The  members  of  the  board  were  as 
follows:  Aldermen — Mosebach,  Sealy,  and  Marlow;  citizens — 
Ballinger,  Waul,  and  Quin ;  members  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce— Hobby,  Walthew,  and  Beers.  W.  P.  Ballinger  was  elected 
president  and  Mr.  Beers  secretary.  For  lack  of  funds  for  its  sup- 
port, the  Library  had  been  getting  into  debt,  and  in  January,  1875, 
the  books  were  moved  to  the  first  floor  of  the  Ballinger  &  Jack 
building  at  2211  Post-office  Street,  a  building  that  is  now  a  part  of 
the  store  of  Garbade,  Eiband  &  Co.  Here  the  Library  was  reopened 
about  the  first  of  March.  Soon  after  this  time  over  a  thousand 
dollars  was  raised  by  citizens  by  means  of  two  amateur  theatrical 
entertainments.  In  this  and  other  ways  the  debts  of  the  Library 
were  paid  and  it  went  on  prospering.  The  Library  was  supported 
by  appropriations  from  the  city  until  April  17,  1878,  when  an  ordi- 
nance was  passed  by  the  City  Council  repealing  the  section  of  the 
former  ordinance  under  which  the  support  of  the  Library  had  been 
provided,  and  it  was  then  closed  to  the  public.  On  April  28,  1879, 
the  books  were  moved  to  the  City  Hall.  On  August  7,  1879,  the 
Library  was  opened  to  the  public  in  the  City  Hall,  with  the  city 
clerk  as  custodian.  On  May  5,  1880,  the  City  Council  instructed 

[202] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

occasion,  and  a  notable  address  was  given  by  Judge 
Robert  G.  Street. 

On  May  2,  1906,  a  fine  enlarged  photograph  of  the 
Ruins  of  the  Parthenon,  secured  from  a  noted  art 
dealer  in  New  York,  was  donated  to  the  Rosenberg 
Library  by  the  Wednesday  Club.  This  was  the  first 
of  a  series  of  donations  to  the  Library  of  artistic  and 

the  city  auditor  to  catalog  and  arrange  the  books.    This  cataloging 
seems,  however,  not  to  have  been  done. 

In  April,  1881,  an  enterprising  organization  of  the  city,  com- 
posed of  young  men  known  as  the  Galveston  Lyceum,  requested  the 
City  Council  that  they  be  given  charge  of  the  books  of  the  Library, 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Library  Committee  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil. The  City  Council  consented  to  this  arrangement  and  granted 
the  Lyceum  thirty  dollars  a  month  to  be  applied  toward  the  support 
of  the  Library.  The  books  were  then  moved  from  the  City  Hall, 
beginning  on  May  13,  1881,  to  the  Ballinger  &  Jack  building. 
On  October  12,  1881,  the  Library  was  again  opened  under  the 
name  of  the  Galveston  Public  Library,  and  now  was  in  charge  of 
the  Galveston  Lyceum.  There  were  at  this  time  8155  books  and 
3241  pamphlets.  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Felton  became  librarian,  an  office 
which  she  held  until  March,  1902.  About  1884  the  Galveston 
Lyceum  secured  larger  quarters  for  the  Library  and  moved  it  to 
the  second  floor  of  the  Masonic  Temple.  Henry  Rosenberg  was  a 
member  of  the  Library  Committee  of  the  City  Council  during  his 
term  as  alderman  in  1885.  Although  the  City  Council  continued 
to  furnish  some  money  for  the  support  of  the  Library,  the  provision 
was  inadequate.  On  April  i,  1889,  a  committee  from  the  Galves- 
ton Lyceum  induced  the  City  Council  to  make  a  special  appropria- 
tion of  $500  for  library  support.  Many  donations  of  books  were 
received  during  these  years.  About  the  year  1 890  the  City  Council 
again  took  complete  charge  of  the  Library.  In  January,  1892,  a 
printed  catalog  of  the  Library,  containing  seventy-eight  pages,  was 
issued.  Through  the  following  years  the  support  of  the  Library 
granted  by  the  city  was  very  inadequate.  Miss  Lulu  Shearer  fol- 
lowed Mrs.  Felton  as  librarian.  The  Library  remained  in  the 
Masonic  Temple  until  1905,  when  it  was  transferred  to  the  Rosen- 
berg Library. 

[203] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

historical  value.  This  first  donation  established  a  fine 
standard  for  further  valuable  works  of  this  character 
to  be  placed  in  the  beautiful  Rosenberg  Library 
building. 

On  November  18,  1906,  occurred  the  death  of 
Colonel  M.  F.  Mott,  attorney  for  the  Rosenberg 
Estate  and  president  of  the  library  Board  of  Direc- 
tors. John  Sealy  was  then  elected  president  of  the 
board,  and  F.  L.  Lee  vice-president. 

On  May  25,  1907,  a  bust  of  Major  A.  J.  Walker, 
first  president  of  the  library  Board  of  Directors,  was 
placed  in  a  prominent  position  in  the  southeast  read- 
ing room  of  the  Library.  This  fine  bust  of  white 
Carrara  marble  was  donated  by  the  sculptor,  Louis 
Amateis.  During  this  same  year  a  portrait  in  oil  of 
Colonel  M.  F.  Mott  was  also  hung  on  the  wall  in  the 
same  room. 

In  January,  1910,  the  Library  began  publishing 
for  free  distribution  a  bulletin  of  sixteen  pages,  which 
has  from  that  time  been  issued  five  times  a  year.  In 
the  bulletin  are  printed  lists  of  books  added  to  the 
Library,  the  annual  reports,  and  other  information 
for  the  public. 

By  1914  the  space  in  the  book  room  had  become 
greatly  overcrowded;  more  room  was  much  needed 
both  for  readers  and  for  books.  It  wras,  therefore, 
decided  to  fit  up  new  quarters  in  the  second  story 
and  remove  the  children's  department  there  into  the 
rooms  originally  assigned  to  that  department.  New 
shelving  and  furniture  were  designed  at  an  expense 

[204] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

of  about  $6000,  and  beautiful  and  convenient  rooms 
were  opened  on  April  i,  1915.  This  removal  of  the 
children's  department  relieved  somewhat  the  over- 
crowding in  the  book  room,  leaving  more  space  for 
adult  readers  and  for  the  books  of  the  open-shelf 
lending  and  reference  departments.  From  time  to 
time  shelving  for  a  book  stack  had  been  added  in  the 
basement  until  space  for  about  40,000  volumes  had 
been  provided. 

In  October,  1916,  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Texas 
Library  Association  was  held  in  Galveston.  This 
meeting  was  held  in  response  to  the  invitation  by  the 
library  Board  of  Directors  to  hold  the  meeting  in  the 
library  lecture  hall.  The  delegates  declared  the  con- 
vention to  be  one  of  the  most  successful  ever  held  in 
the  State,  and  all  were  pleased  at  the  results  of  the 
meeting. 


THE  GROWTH  OF  FOURTEEN  YEARS 

BEGINNING  with  a  collection  of  about  7000  volumes 
of  popular  books  ready  for  public  use  at  the  time  of 
the  opening,  the  Library  has  increased  in  size,  by 
purchase  and  gift,  until  it  now  has  over  62,000  vol- 
umes. The  pamphlet  collection  has  grown  to  38,000 
and  has  become  a  valuable  one,  especially  in  the  de- 
partments of  social  and  historical  sciences.  The 
number  of  current  periodicals  regularly  received  has 
been  increased,  as  their  use  has  grown  from  about 
125  at  the  time  of  the  opening  of  the  Library  until 

[205  ] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

the  number  is  now  about  375,  about  half  of  which 
number  are  donations  either  from  the  publishers  or 
from  friends  of  the  Library  in  Galveston.  During  the 
first  six  months  of  public  use  of  the  Library,  the  loans 
for  home  reading  were  28,738,  averaging  182  a  day. 
The  use  of  the  Library  has  steadily  increased  until  at 
the  present  time  the  average  is  about  300  loans  a  day. 
(The  largest  day  was  March  10,  1917,  546  loans;  the 
largest  month,  March,  1917,  10,482  loans;  the  largest 
daily  average  in  a  month,  March,  1917,  403  loans.) 
The  increase  in  the  use  of  the  Library  has  been  en- 
tirely an  increase  in  the  use  of  books  other  than 
fiction.  The  actual  number  of  loans  of  books  of 
fiction  is  about  the  same  now  as  it  was  at  the  begin- 
ning. The  proportion  of  loans  of  fiction  was  in  the 
early  months  about  70% ;  now  this  proportion  is 
about  53%.  The  use  of  books  other  than  fiction  needs 
especially  to  be  cultivated;  fiction,  except  the  very 
best  of  it,  gets  even  more  than  a  sufficient  use,  pro- 
portionately, without  special  library  effort  to  promote 
its  use.  The  loans  for  home  reading  aggregate  now 
over  90,000  a  year,  and  the  total  number  of  these 
loans  since  the  Library  was  opened  is  about  1,000,000. 
The  registration  of  borrowers  for  the  first  six  months 
was  about  2700.  The  total  registration  has  now  be- 
come more  than  21,000,  with  additions  to  this  num- 
ber of  some  1500  a  year. 

In  its  work  of  serving  the  public  through  the  pro- 
motion of  the  reading  of  good  books,  the  Library  has 
always  employed  methods  that  have  been  well  estab- 

C206] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

lished  by  the  experience  of  well-conducted  libraries 
elsewhere.  The  library  management  proceeds  con- 
servatively, making  no  pretense  to  originality  or  nov- 
elty in  its  undertakings,  plans,  or  methods. 


BOOK-BUYING  CAREFULLY  MANAGED 

IN  acquiring  books  for  the  Rosenberg  Library  from 
year  to  year,  we  have  built  up  a  valuable  working  col- 
lection of  books  of  all  classes  intended  to  constitute  a 
well-proportioned  popular  library,  all  of  which  have 
been  selected  with  great  care  to  secure  the  best  books 
representing  a  wide  range  of  subjects,  in  order  that 
the  institution  may  serve  as  well  as  possible  the  needs 
of  all  classes  of  people  in  the  community.  In  adding 
about  3000  volumes  to  the  Library  each  year,  we  have 
opportunity  to  acquire  the  most  important  new  books, 
although  our  Library  does  not  buy  as  much  new  fic- 
tion as  many  libraries  do.  Our  needs  are  mainly  for 
books  in  the  English  language,  although  we  have 
considerable  collections  of  literature  in  French,  Ger- 
man, Spanish,  and  other  languages.  The  Library 
having  been  established  so  recently  as  1904,  our  col- 
lection is  largely  new,  and  only  a  very  small  number 
of  books  have  become  out  of  date,  and  but  few  that 
are  added  are  of  temporary  value.  Thus  we  have  a 
good  working  library  with  very  little  dead  material, 
a  library  that  is  more  useful  to  the  public  than  many 
an  older  library  of  much  larger  size  that  has  on  its 

£207:1 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

shelves  a  considerable  accumulation  of  old  and  dead 
books. 

Special  needs  in  connection  with  library  lectures, 
or  subjects  of  current  interest,  or  subjects  that  need 
to  be  more  fully  represented  in  the  Library,  and  the 
special  needs  of  study  clubs  or  classes  of  people,  and 
the  purchase  suggestions  of  interested  readers,  are  all 
carefully  considered.  Many  very  much  needed  books 
are  out  of  print  and  can  be  obtained  only  at  second 
hand.  There  are  opportunities  to  secure  desirable 
books  at  special  prices  through  lists  of  remainders 
and  second-hand  books.  It  is  necessary  to  duplicate 
many  books  to  supply  the  large  demand,  or  for  use  in 
both  lending  and  reference  libraries.  All  these  con- 
siderations must  be  taken  into  account  in  the  effort  to 
build  up  a  good  library  worthy  the  attention  of  all 
thoughtful  and  earnest  people.  This  Library  is  to 
be  regarded  as  a  popular  rather  than  as  a  scholarly 
library,  but  it  is  possible  for  us  to  be  of  service  also 
to  the  scholar,  the  specialist,  and  the  investigator.  To 
some  extent,  expensive  works  can  be  bought  that  the 
private  citizen  can  seldom  afford,  but  which  it  is 
often  of  great  value  to  have  always  available  in  a 
public  library.  In  buying  books  for  the  Library,  we 
aim  to  create  desirable  demands  as  well  as  to  meet 
existing  demands,  in  order  that  breadth  of  interest 
among  our  people  may  be  fostered.  The  beneficial 
results  of  careful  book-buying  are  shown  by  the  con- 
stant calls  upon  the  Library  for  books  on  subjects  of 
the  most  varied  character. 

C208H 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 


MANY  DONATIONS  RECEIVED 

FROM  the  friends  of  the  Library  in  Galveston  and 
elsewhere  many  valuable  donations  of  books,  pam- 
phlets, periodicals,  maps,  pictures,  and  historical  and 
art  objects  have  been  received.  Since  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Library  in  1903,  over  8000  volumes 
have  been  donated,  and  also  practically  our  whole 
important  collection  of  38,000  pamphlets.  Among 
the  donations,  besides  the  many  very  valuable  and 
costly  books,  special  mention  may  be  made  of  a  con- 
siderable number  of  early  printed  books,  some  quite 
rare;  a  sixteenth  century  illuminated  manuscript  on 
parchment  (a  duodecimo  volume),  consisting  of  the 
Psalms  in  Armenian;  a  bound  file  of  the  Galveston 
News  for  over  thirty-four  years,  in  131  volumes;  the 
manuscript  records  of  the  Howard  Association,  an 
early  Galveston  benevolent  organization  that  did  a 
great  work  in  the  yellow  fever  times;  and  a  large 
amount  of  material  of  local  historical  value.  Par- 
ticular mention  is  made  elsewhere  of  the  bronze 
statue  of  Mr.  Rosenberg  placed  in  front  of  the  library 
building,  and  of  the  marble  bust  of  Major  Walker. 
Special  mention  should  be  made  of  donations  of  two 
clocks,  one  a  large  pendulum  wall  clock  and  the  other 
a  fine  Howard  mantel  clock.  Especially  appreci- 
ated are  donations  of  three  large  framed  pictures: 
The  Ruins  of  the  Parthenon,  a  photographic  enlarge- 
ment; A  Reading  from  Homer,  by  Alma-Tadema,  a 

£209:1 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

large  photographic  reproduction  of  the  painting;  and 
Santa  Anna  before  General  Houston  at  San  Jacinto, 
a  copy  in  oil  of  a  painting  of  historical  interest  by 
W.  H.  Huddle,  located  in  the  capitol  at  Austin,  Texas. 
Most  of  the  donations  have  been  received  from 
residents  of  Galveston,  an  evidence  of  growing  appre- 
ciation of  the  service  we  are  trying  to  render  to  the 
people  of  our  city,  and  of  the  growing  disposition  to 
help  the  Rosenberg  Library  to  be  still  more  service- 
able. These  donations  are  gladly  received,  system- 
atically cared  for,  and  carefully  preserved  in  our  per- 
manent fireproof  building,  where  they  are  always 
available  for  the  use  and  enjoyment  of  those  inter- 
ested, including  the  donor  himself.  The  donations 
of  books  have  been  too  numerous  for  any  special  men- 
tion in  this  place.  Many  are  very  valuable,  and 
from  some  Galveston  donors  large  numbers  of  vol- 
umes have  been  received.  The  Library  has  gathered 
and  is  carefully  preserving  a  very  valuable  and  al- 
ready quite  extensive  local  collection  of  Galveston 
historical  material,  consisting  of  books,  pamphlets 
(such  as  reports,  year  books,  programs,  and  other 
printed  matter  of  churches,  schools,  societies,  lodges, 
clubs,  corporations,  and  other  organizations),  news- 
papers, magazines,  leaflets,  prints  (such  as  theatre 
and  concert  programs,  circulars,  announcements, 
handbills,  placards,  posters,  etc.),  maps,  blueprints, 
manuscripts,  engravings,  photographs,  pictures, 
relics,  and  other  historical  material.  This  interesting 
and  valuable  Galveston  historical  collection  has  re- 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

suited  almost  wholly  from  donations  by.  Galveston 
friends,  and  every  year  it  grows  by  further  donations, 
all  of  which  are  appreciated  by  the  library  manage- 
ment. 

THE  REFERENCE  DEPARTMENT 

THE  reference  department  of  the  Library  has  re- 
ceived more  than  usual  attention  both  in  building  up 
its  collections  and  in  the  service  rendered  to  readers 
and  inquirers.  The  reference  library  has  been  in- 
creased by  important  additions  until  now  fully  half 
of  our  collection  of  books  belongs  to  the  reference 
library.  There  are,  in  addition  to  the  most  used 
reference  books  such  as  dictionaries,  encyclopedias, 
year  books,  atlases,  and  reference  books  on  special 
subjects,  many  standard  works,  and  good  collections 
of  periodicals,  public  documents,  pamphlets,  maps, 
etc.  There  is  a  valuable  local  collection  of  Galveston 
material,  consisting  of  books,  documents,  newspapers, 
magazines,  pamphlets,  maps,  blueprints,  charts, 
prints,  clippings,  engravings,  photographs,  manu- 
scripts, relics,  historical  objects,  etc.  The  collection 
of  books  and  other  material  relating  to  Texas  is  an 
important  one.  The  Library  has  a  considerable  col- 
lection of  fine  books,  including  those  in  architecture 
and  the  fine  arts  and  other  finely  illustrated  books  and 
fine  editions,  and  there  is  a  good  collection  of  pic- 
tures. The  current  periodicals  have  been  carefully 
selected,  our  subscriptions  including  the  best  general 
magazines  and 'newspapers  and  special  periodicals 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

embracing  an  extensive  range  of  subjects,  both  popu- 
lar and  technical.  The  importance  of  current  peri- 
odicals and  pamphlets  is  seen  when  it  is  realized  that 
in  recent  times  the  results  of  the  best  work  and 
thought  of  the  present  time  often  appear  first  in  peri- 
odicals and  pamphlets.  These  must  be  used  in  order 
to  keep  up  to  date  in  one's  own  field  as  well  as  to  keep 
up  with  current  general  information.  There  has  been 
an  unusually  large  and  continually  growing  use  of 
our  Library  in  the  building — books,  pamphlets,  and 
current  periodicals.  The  studious  use  of  library 
opportunities  is  very  noticeable.  The  habit  of  coming 
to  the  Library  is  growing. 

The  Library  has  taken  special  pains  to  furnish  to 
readers  and  students  experienced  and  educated  ser- 
vice in  helping  them  to  find  the  best  books,  pam- 
phlets, or  magazine  articles  for  use  in  their  studies 
or  investigations.  Through  the  expert  service  of  the 
reference  department  we  endeavor  to  serve  more 
and  more  efficiently  the  serious  wants  of  the  people 
of  our  city.  The  ability  of  the  Library  to  furnish 
skilful  service  to  our  readers  has  resulted,  after  these 
years  of  steady  growth,  in  bringing  to  us  a  very  exten- 
sive range  of  questions  relating  both  to  popular  and 
scholarly  subjects.  They  consist  of  all  sorts  of  pub- 
lic questions  of  a  sociological,  educational,  govern- 
mental, reform,  labor,  economic,  and  financial  na- 
ture. There  are  scientific,  historical,  geographical, 
literary,  and  art  questions  in  abundance.  All  sorts 
of  technical,  industrial,  and  business  questions  are 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

brought,  relating  to  commerce,  agriculture,  mining, 
engineering,  transportation,  merchandising,  military 
and  naval  affairs,  the  trades,  house  building  and  fur- 
nishing, etc.  There  is  an  increasing  call  upon  the 
reference  department  each  year  for  helpful  service 
in  connection  with  the  study  clubs  of  the  city.  For 
the  use  of  these  clubs,  collections  of  books  are  often 
put  out  in  the  reference  room  on  special  shelves,  in 
order  to  facilitate  study  by  the  members.  The  same 
service  has  been  rendered  to  the  public  school  teach- 
ers, to  the  high  school  students,  to  the  Sunday  school 
workers,  and  others.  Every  year  there  is  an  increas- 
ing call  upon  the  Library  by  the  business  men  of  the 
city  in  order  to  get  answers  to  questions  that  arise  in 
the  daily  business  life  of  commercial  men,  merchants, 
bankers,  brokers,  engineers,  contractors,  mechanics, 
manufacturers,  and  others.  With  a  general  library 
of  over  62,000  volumes,  we  are  generally  able  to  bring 
forward  the  printed  page  that  will  help  any  inquiring 
reader  toward  the  answers  to  his  questions. 


EXHIBITS  AN  INSTRUCTIVE  FEATURE 

ONE  of  the  features  of  the  work  of  the  Library  is  that 
of  exhibits.  For  years  it  has  been  the  library  practice 
to  install  from  time  to  time  interesting  temporary 
exhibits  of  limited  extent.  The  materials  of  these 
exhibits  have  been  placed  in  showcases  and  on  screens 
and  bulletin  boards  in  the  library  corridor,  in  glass- 

£213] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

front  wall  cases,  and  in  the  swinging  frames  of  our 
large  exhibit  stand.  Just  a  few  of  the  subjects  of  these 
exhibits  are  as  follows: 

Shakespeare  rare  prints  and  souvenirs. 

Old  and  rare  books  and  interesting  bindings. 

History  of  the  art  of  writing. 

Holiday  books  for  children. 

Edwin  A.  Abbey's  Holy  Grail. 

Reproductions  of  great  paintings. 

Work  of  Frederic  Remington  and  other  artists. 

Chateaux  of  France. 

Luther  and  the  Reformation  (four-hundredth  an- 
niversary). 

Flags  and  dolls  of  various  countries. 

Photographs,  prints,  and  posters  relating  to  the 
Great  War. 

Local  history  (books,  prints,  maps,  and  relics). 

Birds  of  Texas. 

Our  national  parks. 

These  exhibits  have  been  of  interest  in  a  variety  of 
ways,  literary,  artistic,  historic,  geographic,  and  gen- 
eral. They  have  often  been  especially  timely  because 
relating  to  affairs  of  current  interest,  or  to  the  subjects 
of  the  library  free  lectures.  There  is  always  an  active 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  public  in  these  small  tem- 
porary exhibits,  which  are  in  every  case  intended  to 
serve  an  educational  purpose. 


[2143 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 


THE  LECTURE  DEPARTMENT 

As  in  all  the  work  of  the  institution,  the  primary  aim 
of  the  lecture  department  is  educational.  It  is  in- 
tended that  these  free  lectures  shall  embrace  a  wide 
range  of  subjects  of  general  interest,  and  be  of  such  a 
high  order  of  merit  as  to  attract  and  interest  the 
thoughtful  and  the  studious.  Our  lectures  are  in- 
tended to  be  instructive,  real  food  for  the  intellectual 
life,  and  are  not  to  be  regarded  as  entertainments ;  yet 
they  are  intended  to  be  interesting  and  popular  in  the 
best  sense.  It  is  regarded  as  of  special  importance 
that  a  lecturer  should  first  of  all  have  something  to 
say  that  is  worth  while,  and  also  important  that  he 
should,  in  addition,  know  how  to  say  it  in  an  interest- 
ing and  reasonably  acceptable  manner.  We  aim  to 
enlist  in  the  library  service  as  lecturers  able  men  of 
university  standing  and  other  men  of  distinction  and 
power.  We  aim  to  invite  to  our  lecture  platform 
eminent  men  of  high  qualifications  in  the  various  de- 
partments of  human  effort,  whose  study  and  experi- 
ence qualify  them  to  bring  authoritative  information, 
and  strong  men  of  broad  outlook,  who  can  bring  to  us 
intellectual  stimulus  and  inspiration.  The  Library 
encourages  reading  and  study  in  connection  with  the 
lectures  by  displaying  its  books  on  the  lecture  sub- 
jects, including  books  purchased  for  the  occasion,  on 
special  shelves  in  the  reference  room,  and  also  by 
printing  lecture  announcements  with  carefully  made 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

notes  and  reading  lists.  Lectures  are  often  illustrated 
with  the  stereopticon  or  otherwise.  Whenever  possi- 
ble, a  question  and  answer  discussion  follows  the 
lecture. 

The  lectures  (now  some  twenty- five  or  thirty  a 
year)  are  given  during  the  winter  season,  in  the 
library  lecture  hall,  seating  seven  hundred  people, 
generally  in  the  evening  at  eight  o'clock.  Some  of 
the  afternoon  lectures  have  been  given  for  children. 
That  these  lectures  are  highly  valued  is  abundantly 
shown  by  the  well-sustained  interest  and  large  atten- 
dance during  all  these  fourteen  years.  It  is  very 
encouraging  to  the  library  management  that  the  Gal- 
veston  public  has  come  to  expect  and  demand  so  good 
a  standard  of  merit  in  the  library  lectures,  and  it  is 
very  gratifying  that  so  many  take  pains  to  read  on  the 
lecture  subjects  both  before  and  after  the  lectures  in 
order  to  profit  more  by  what  they  hear  from  the  lec- 
ture platform.  The  Library  has  had  during  the  four- 
teen years  about  125  different  lecturers,  and  about  310 
lectures  have  been  given,  with  a  total  attendance  of 
over  145,000,  averaging  more  than  450  at  each  lec- 
ture. This  attendance  is  unusually  large,  the  lecture 
hall  being  often  overcrowded.  The  instructive  public 
lecture  constitutes  an  important  phase  of  adult  edu- 
cation, a  subject  now  much  discussed.  The  free  lec- 
ture system  has  grown  to  be  a  very  important  depart- 
ment of  the  work  of  the  Rosenberg  Library. 


£216;] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 


THE  CHILDREN'S  DEPARTMENT 

THE  children's  department  began  its  service  at  the 
opening  of  the  Library  in  1904  with  about  1600  vol- 
umes. There  are  now  over  6000  volumes.  For  sev- 
eral years  this  department  had  limited  space  in  one 
end  of  the  general  book  room.  Since  April,  1915,  it 
has  had  much  larger  space  in  its  new  home  on  the 
second  floor.  Here  its  reading  room,  book  room,  and 
story  room  have  been  made  beautiful  and  very  attrac- 
tive with  new  tables,  chairs,  carved  benches,  shelving, 
exhibit  cases,  special  drawers  and  cases  for  pictures, 
and  with  wall  pictures,  pottery,  and  plants.  The 
work  of  the  department  has  been  broadened  and 
extended.  The  loans  for  home  reading  have  espe- 
cially increased  since  the  department  was  established 
in  its  new  rooms  with  larger  space  and  more  con- 
venient equipment.  The  larger  number  of  books  and 
the  weekly  story-hour  to  encourage  their  use,  the 
reference  collection  of  fine  editions,  the  large  school 
collection,  the  large  collection  of  pictures  to  lend  to 
the  schools,  the  special  numbers  of  the  Library  Bulle- 
tin, the  exhibits,  the  annual  Christmas  displays  of  fine 
holiday  books  suggestive  of  presents  to  children,  now 
more  extensive  and  successful  than  ever  before,  as 
well  as  the  convenient  equipment  and  the  beautiful 
new  furniture,  have  all  served  to  promote  the  popu- 
larity of  the  department  and  greatly  increase  its  use. 
The  story-hour  is  made  use  of  as  a  means  to  increase 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

the  use  of  the  best  children's  books.  It  is  not  con- 
ducted as  an  entertainment  feature,  but  as  a  means  of 
promoting  the  use  of  books  and  providing  culture  for 
the  imagination  and  the  moral  life.  The  exhibits  in 
the  children's  department  have  in  all  cases  been  used 
as  a  means  of  directing  attention  to  good  books.  The 
reading  clubs  also  are  conducted  so  as  to  work  toward 
the  same  end.  The  loans  to  children  for  home  read- 
ing in  1917  were  45,263,  a  32%  increase  over  the  pre- 
vious year,  and  49%  of  the  whole  number  of  library 
loans  for  that  year. 

The  complete  separation  of  the  children's  depart- 
ment from  the  lending  department,  with  its  separate 
system  of  registration  and  separate  catalog,  has  in- 
creased the  expense  of  maintaining  the  children's 
department,  but  has  added  much  to  its  usefulness 
and  has  been  fully  justified.  In  the  space  of  fifteen 
or  twenty  years  the  reading  habits  of  a  town  may  be 
very  materially  improved  through  earnest  effort  at 
the  Public  Library  in  behalf  of  the  children  of  the 
town.  Children  soon  grow  to  be  adults,  and  we  con- 
fidently expect  to  find  after  a  series  of  years  that  the 
work  the  Library  does  for  the  children  of  Galveston 
will  have  a  marked  effect  in  bettering  the  reading 
habits  of  our  city.  We  regard  the  children's  depart- 
ment as  one  of  the  most  essential  departments  of  our 
work.  Nothing  that  we  can  do  is  of  greater  impor- 
tance. 


C2I8] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 


FOR  PUBLIC  SERVICE 

IT  is  the  purpose  of  the  library  authorities  to  build  in 
Galveston,  under  the  noble  legacy  of  Mr.  Rosenberg, 
an  institution  worthy  to  be  considered  an  important 
educational  centre  of  the  intellectual  life  and  the 
higher  interests  of  the  community.  It  is  true  that  a 
public  library  has  other  functions  also,  but  it  must  be 
recognized  as  first  of  all  educational  if  it  is  to  occupy 
a  really  worthy  place  of  service  to  its  city.  It  is 
reasonable  that  the  people  of  Galveston  should  ex- 
pect to  see  the  Rosenberg  Library  develop  as  an  edu- 
cational institution  with  a  constant  effort  to  help  and 
foster  every  enterprise  making  for  the  best  interests 
of  the  community,  so  far  as  they  come  within  its 
scope. 

While  at  first  the  modern  library,  with  its  multi- 
plying activities  and  liberal  facilities  for  meeting  the 
needs  of  both  the  student  and  the  man  of  affairs,  had 
to  struggle  for  recognition  because  thought  by  many 
to  be  a  superfluous  institution,  now,  because  its  useful- 
ness has  been  so  abundantly  proved  by  practical 
experience,  it  is  fast  coming  to  be  recognized  as  a 
necessary  part  of  the  educational  system  of  every 
community.  The  extent  of  the  really  valuable  and 
necessary  printed  matter  has  in  our  time  become  so 
great  that  the  private  library  cannot  to-day  satisfy 
the  reasonable  requirements  of  the  well-informed 
and  cultured  man.  The  larger  collection  in  the  pub- 

£2193 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

lie  library  embraces  all  subjects  in  its  scope  and  has 
many  books  and  periodicals  on  each  subject,  general 
and  technical,  popular  and  scholarly,  thus  supplying 
variety  of  treatment  to  meet  the  various  needs  of 
readers.  The  public  library  aims  to  have  the  latest 
revised  editions  of  its  books,  the  latest  annuals,  the 
latest  current  periodicals  and  pamphlets,  the  latest 
printed  material  of  whatever  kind — the  latest  word 
— on  each  subject.  The  public  library  has  extensive 
works  in  many  volumes,  it  has  costly  books  finely 
illustrated,  and  it  has  exhaustive  special  treatises. 
For  this  world  of  printed  works,  the  universal  tools 
of  modern  life,  the  public  library  is  the  repository, 
the  laboratory,  and  the  workshop  of  the  whole  com- 
munity. Such  a  collection  and  such  working  facili- 
ties must  be  available  to  the  well-informed  and  cul- 
tured man.  The  private  library  is  too  limited  to  sat- 
isfy him:  he  must  depend  on  the  public  library  to 
meet  his  requirements. 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  library  management  to  estab- 
lish at  the  Rosenberg  Library  an  ideal  of  willing  and 
efficient  public  service.  This  Library  should  be  a 
progressive  library  of  active  service  to  all  classes  of 
people  rather  than  the  older  kind  of  library  serving 
mainly  as  a  storehouse  for  books.  Neither  building 
nor  books  can  take  the  place  of  competent,  high- 
minded  personality  as  the  principal  element  making 
for  a  worthy  success.  There  must  be  a  capable,  ef- 
ficient, and  energetic  library  staff,  enthusiastic  with 
the  true  professional  spirit  for  the  interests  of  the 

C220] 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  LIBRARY 

institution  and  the  service  of  the  public.  Of  more 
value  even  than  building,  books,  'and  all  other  equip- 
ment is  the  personality  that  is  charged  with  the  daily 
duty  of  making  that  equipment  serve  its  high  purpose 
with  real  efficiency. 

Year  by  year,  our  Library  becomes  larger  and 
more  completely  organized  for  the  service  of  the  pub- 
lic, and  year  by  year,  as  new  needs  and  new  oppor- 
tunities arise,  we  strive  to  increase  its  efficiency  as  an 
educational  power  in  our  city.  Some  growth  and 
increase  in  power  can  be  measured  in  figures,  but  the 
best  of  the  service  that  the  Library  renders  to  the 
public  is  of  an  intellectual  and  spiritual  kind  that 
cannot  be  thus  expressed.  As  the  Library  grows  in 
size  and  use,  we  are  gratified  in  being  permitted  to 
feel  that  there  is  in  our  city  a  growing  appreciation 
of  library  facilities.  The  evidences  before  us  indi- 
cate that  the  Library,  during  these  fourteen  years  of 
service,  has  grown  into  a  place  of  high  standing  in 
the  estimation  of  our  people.  The  success  of  this 
institution  should  mean  such  wide  and  beneficent  ser- 
vice in  many  of  the  things  that  pertain  to  the  higher 
life  of  the  community,  that  all  may  feel  as  justly 
proud  of  its  work  and  accomplishment  as  they  are 
of  our  enduring  library  building,  which  is  so  beauti- 
ful and  dignified. 

A  library  is  one  of  the  most  permanent  institutions 
of  civilized  life,  and  to  be  built  well  must  be  built 
carefully  and  slowly.  In  this  educational  enterprise 
there  are  fruitful  possibilities.  As  time  goes  on, 

£221] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

opportunities  for  usefulness  open  out  in  various  di- 
rections, and,  among  the  many  needed  undertakings 
of  high  value,  the  few  most  important  things  must  be 
singled  out  to  be  done,  and  all  others  postponed,  sim- 
ply because  there  is  not  means  enough  for  all.  No 
worthy  educational  work  ever  has  financial  resources 
enough  for  all  its  needs. 


[222] 


ROSENBERG  LIBRARY 

HISTORICAL  AND  STATISTICAL  SUMMARY 

1893 

Henry  Rosenberg,  merchant  and  banker  of  Galves- 
ton,  who  died  in  1893,  provided  in  his  will  that  the 
residue  of  his  estate  should  be  used  for  the  founda- 
tion and  endowment  of  a  free  public  library. 

1900 

Rosenberg  Library  Association  was  chartered  under 
the  laws  of  Texas,  with  a  self-perpetuating  board 
of  trustees  composed  of  twenty  life  members  and 
a  managing  board  of  seven  directors,  elected  annu- 
ally by  the  trustees  from  among  their  own  number. 
Major  A.  J.  Walker  chosen  President  of  the  Board 
of  Directors. 

1901 

Major  A.  J.  Walker,  Executor  of  the  Rosenberg  Es- 
tate, transferred  to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
Rosenberg  Library  the  residue  of  the  estate,  valued 
at  $620,529.69. 

Library  site  bought  at  Tremont  Street  and  Sealy 
Avenue  and  design  of  Eames  &  Young  for  the  Li- 
brary adopted. 

[223  ] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

1904 

Rosenberg  Library  dedicated  and  opened  as  "a  free 
public  library,  both  lending  and  reference.  Begin- 
ning of  the  annual  celebration  of  Founder's  Day. 

Cost  of  property  used  for  library  purposes: 
Grounds,  including  grading    .      .   $20,000 

Building 155,000 

Furniture  and  books  (7000  vols.) .     25,000 


Total  cost  at  time  of  opening   .      .      .   $200,000 

1905 

Galveston  Public  Library  discontinued  and  the  books 
donated  to  Rosenberg  Library.  About  3200  vol- 
umes, including  1500  volumes  of  United  States 
public  documents,  added  to  Rosenberg  Library. 

The  Colored  Branch  of  Rosenberg  Library  opened. 

Rosenberg  Library  free  lecture  courses  begun  auspi- 
ciously. Jenkin  Lloyd  Jones,  of  the  University 
Extension  Division  of  Chicago  University,  first 
lecturer. 

1906 

Rosenberg  statue  unveiled  in  front  of  the  library 
building.  Resulted  from  a  popular  movement  un- 
der a  committee  of  citizens. 

1910 

Publication  of  a  sixteen-page  Library  Bulletin  be- 
gun. Issued  five  times  a  year. 

[224] 


SUMMARY 

1915 

New  children's  rooms,  with  new  equipment  costing 
$6000,  opened  in  the  second  story  of  the  building. 

1916 

Lanier  property  adjoining  the  Library  bought,  mak- 
ing the  library  site  a  full  half  block. 


Income  from  interest,  dividends,  and  rents, 

i9J7 $29,207.97 

Expenditures  for  the  Library,  1917  .      .      .      25,118.69 

Value  of  property  used  for  library  purposes, 

1918 $265,000.00 

Amount  of  the  Library  Endowment  Fund, 

1918 635,000.00 


Total  assets  of  Rosenberg  Library  Associa- 
tion,  1918 $900,000.00 

Number  of  volumes,  1918 62,000 

Volumes  added,  1917 2>993 

Number  of  pamphlets,  1918        .       .      .      .  38,000 

Pamphlets  added,  1917 2,500 

Current  periodicals  received,  1918    .      .      .  375 

Total     number     of     borrowers     registered, 

1904-1917 20,841 

Borrowers  registered,  1917     ....  1,689 

[225] 


HENRY  ROSENBERG 

Books  loaned  for  home  reading,  1904-1917        992,459 
Loans  for  home  reading,  1917       .      .      .  92>533 

To  adults     .      .      .      47,271          51% 
To  children       .      .      45,262         49% 


Total  loans   .      .  92,533  100% 

Historical  classes     .  6,430  7% 
Sciences  and  arts     .  13,154  14% 
Literary  classes       .  24,022  26% 
Fiction      and      chil- 
dren's stories       .  48,927  .      53% 


Total  loans   .      .      92,533        100% 

Average  loans  per  day,  1904-1917  .      .      .  243 

Average  loans  per  day,  1917  .      .      .      .  305 

Number  of  loans  for  home  reading: 

Largest  in  any  month,  March,  1917    .      .  10,482 

Largest  in  any  day,  March  10,  1917  .      .  546 

Largest    daily    average    in    any    month, 

March,  1917 403 

Number    of   volumes    in    Colored    Branch, 

1918 2,966 

Colored   Branch   loans   for  home   reading, 

^  1905-1917 42,947 

Colored  Branch  loans,  1917  ....  4>537 

Children's  story-hour  attendance,  1909-1917  23,800 

Story-hour  attendance  during  the  season  of 

I9J7 7.300 

Attendance  at  285  lectures,  1905-1917  .      .          133,000 

Attendance  at  30  lectures  during  the  sea- 
son of  1917 15,500 

[226] 


This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below 
LD-URL 


..^ 


9.  «* 


Form  L-9-15m-7,'32 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA      000019083    5 


-LIFORNIA 
JSS 


